California Senate Chair Aims to Lead AI Policy
The chair of the new Senate committee on technology regulation wants California to continue leading in crafting policy on artificial intelligence.
“We want California to be front and center, and that means having both a healthy industry and having the world’s leading protections for people,” said Senator Christopher Cabaldon, a Democratic freshman senator from Yolo County. He was recently named chair of the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee.
Establishment of the Committee
The new committee, announced by Senate leader Monique Limón, aims to officially launch in February. Historically, the Senate has not had a dedicated committee focused on technology, with tech bills primarily passing through the Judiciary Committee.
Cabaldon expressed that there has been a long-standing interest in the Senate to create a dedicated lane for tech-related issues. His appointment as committee chair stems from his experience in local government, where he has worked on innovation and technology to enhance government processes while managing associated risks.
Balancing Regulation and Industry Growth
When discussing tech policy, Cabaldon rejects the idea that lawmakers must choose between regulating the industry or allowing it to thrive. He believes in a holistic approach that facilitates both innovation and protection:
“In state government, we often are in this mode that we have to pick one… I just don’t see it that way.”
He emphasizes his experience in local government and how it has shaped his understanding of the dynamic interactions between entrepreneurs, activists, and community members.
Public Concerns about AI
Cabaldon noted that Californians share concerns about AI technologies. He mentioned receiving messages that were clearly generated by AI, expressing worries about chatbots and children’s interactions with them:
“They’re both. They’re inhabiting both places at once.”
Federal and State Regulation
He is closely monitoring attempts by the Trump administration to halt state-level AI regulations, which he finds alarming due to the federal government’s lack of a cohesive regulatory approach:
“Their main schtick has been, how do we protect our billionaire clients from getting regulated?”
Cabaldon believes that federal policy would struggle to keep pace with emerging technologies, noting that states like California and New York have been quicker to develop effective regulations.
“Part of the problem with the federal government is it cannot keep up with the pace of technological and social change that is happening right now,” he stated, highlighting their historical struggles with platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Addressing Industry Concerns
Cabaldon is skeptical of tech companies’ claims that a patchwork of state regulations stifles innovation:
“It’s a complete red herring. Of course, they can deal with multiple regulatory regimes.”
He pointed out that tech companies already manage a variety of regulatory frameworks when operating internationally, which are often more complex than potential differences between U.S. states.
California’s Leadership in Tech Policy
While recognizing the contributions of tech companies to California, Cabaldon asserts that the state should not feel constrained in its regulatory ambitions:
“I don’t think we need to walk on eggshells… But we also can’t take for granted that we can just do whatever.”
He emphasizes the importance of California’s values in shaping the future of the tech industry:
“We want to be the ones. California and California values should be the ones driving how the tech industry evolves.”
For further inquiries, contact Emily Hamann at ehammann@stateaffairs.com.
