Tech investor Vinod Khosla did not hold back in his criticism of California State Senator Scott Wiener at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, calling the author of the controversial AI bill, SB 1047, “clueless” and “not qualified” to address global AI risks. Khosla, an influential figure in Silicon Valley, argued that regulating the dangers of AI is far beyond the remit of state lawmakers and called for more knowledgeable voices to lead on the issue.
“He’s clueless about the real dangers, which are national security issues,” said Khosla, who supports Wiener on local matters like housing. “But this is a global national security issue. He’s not qualified to have an opinion there.”
SB 1047, a bill that sought to hold AI labs accountable for the potential misuse of their models, had stirred up significant debate in California’s legislature. Despite being passed, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, following resistance from Silicon Valley, federal entities, and high-profile figures like Nancy Pelosi. Khosla and other critics argued that the bill would discourage AI development in California, potentially undermining the US’s global position in AI innovation.
In response, Senator Wiener described Khosla’s comments as “incredibly arrogant,” remarking that Khosla’s stance implied only AI technologists and wealthy investors should have a voice in discussions about AI’s impact on society. “I appreciate Mr. Khosla’s support of my work on housing. For the record, I have no idea how to build a house, so I work with brilliant housing experts to craft smart housing policy,” Wiener stated. “Similarly, in crafting and advancing SB 1047, I worked with some of the top AI experts on the planet, including Geoffrey Hinton, who pioneered machine learning.”
Supporters of SB 1047 contend that the bill was necessary to introduce accountability in AI research, particularly with growing concerns about its potential misuse. Wiener previously claimed that venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator, had spearheaded a “propaganda campaign” against the bill, spreading what he described as misinformation to the media and tech startups.
Khosla, however, has consistently maintained that such legislation could hinder America’s AI leadership, extending the issue far beyond California’s jurisdiction. In a recent opinion piece, he argued that the bill’s implications posed risks to national security, a matter he believes is beyond the authority of state lawmakers.
As the debate on AI regulation intensifies, Wiener is set to address AI policy at TechCrunch Disrupt on Wednesday. The senator invited Khosla to a debate with AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, who has backed the bill and recently received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to machine learning. Khosla, undeterred, expressed a willingness to debate Wiener directly, further underscoring the divide between policymakers and tech leaders over the future of AI regulation.
