Senator Wiener Responds to Final Report on AI Governance Framework
On June 17, 2025, the Joint California Policy Working Group on AI Frontier Models released its final report, presenting a comprehensive framework for the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) models in California. This initiative was sparked by Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 1047, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
Key Insights from the Report
In response to the report’s release, Senator Wiener emphasized the transformative potential of AI technologies, stating, “This report affirms what our brightest AI minds have clearly stated: That while AI presents massive opportunities to deliver a future of abundance and broad-based prosperity, the immense power of these models requires policymakers to act with haste to establish effective safety guardrails.”
Wiener acknowledged the hard work of the Working Group, which consists of leading experts in AI, including:
- Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Jennifer Tour Chayes, Dean of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society at UC Berkeley
- Tino Cuéllar, President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Urgency for Action
Wiener pointed out the critical timing of the report, noting that many companies are pushing for the federal government to eliminate state protections against issues such as deepfake revenge porn, algorithmic bias in healthcare, and intellectual property theft. These issues have garnered bipartisan criticism, as the necessity for fundamental safeguards is evident to those observing the rapid advancements in AI capabilities.
California’s Pivotal Role
Senator Wiener reinforced California’s pivotal role in establishing standards for AI governance, stating, “California still has a vital role to play in establishing safeguards for AI—we can set the standard that others will follow.” He expressed optimism about the recommendations in the report, which aim to balance the need for innovation with the requirement for safeguards.
Future Steps
In light of the report, Senator Wiener’s office is actively considering which recommendations to incorporate into SB 53. He has invited all relevant stakeholders to engage in a productive dialogue to shape the future of AI governance in California.
Conclusion
The release of the Joint California Policy Working Group’s final report marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by advanced AI systems. As the conversation around AI governance continues, the recommendations laid out in this report will be crucial in guiding California’s legislative efforts and setting a precedent for other states to follow.
