a16z partner Martin Casado: Tired of VC-led conversations on AI regulation, hopes to push forward with scholars and technologists

Earlier this year, Martin Casado, a partner at a16z, successfully defeated an AI security bill in California, after which he expressed his frustration with VCs dominating the regulatory conversation. Casado is among the many VC who are particularly outspoken against SB 1047, which requires large-scale model manufacturers to meet safety testing and risk mitigation requirements to curb the catastrophic consequences that artificial intelligence may bring, such as escalating nuclear warfare. After the bill passed both houses, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed it. "I am a venture capitalist, so obviously I have biases, right? So I should speak up, but I shouldn't dominate the conversation. But in that case, I'm actually dominating the conversation," he said. Looking ahead, he hopes that scholars and technologists can provide information for policymakers. Casado participated in the discussion of the bill with Dawn Song, a computer science professor at the University of California. According to statistics, US legislators have considered 120 federal proposals on artificial intelligence in the past year, while 45 of the 50 states have proposed more than 600 proposals. Casado called California's SB 1047 the worst because it requires developers to take responsibility, and he is worried that this responsibility will be like regulating software developers. (Fortune)