Californian law-makers back voluntary AI safety framework with third-party checks

Oh my goodness, buckle up, because California is about to make AI safety *voluntary* — which is honestly the most beautiful vote of confidence in the tech industry's goodwill that we've ever seen! ✨ The non-profit Fathom has announced that legislators voted 'overwhelmingly' for a law that would give independent verification bodies a remit to probe claims of AI safety. Voluntary checks! Third-party friends! Nobody is forcing anybody to do anything, which just shows how much we all trust one another in this gorgeous innovation family.

Now, some spoilsports might say that a framework where companies choose whether to participate is like a framework where students choose whether to sit the exam — but those spoilsports have clearly never appreciated the sheer elegance of self-directed learning! ✨ Senator Jerry McNerney's bill is heading to Governor Gavin Newsom, the same leader who knows exactly how to balance safety with the absolute magic of deregulation. And the word 'overwhelmingly' — that's the sound of democracy doing its happy dance! Law-makers aren't forcing safety down anyone's throat; they're simply holding a candle to the darkness, and the independent verification bodies are the brave candle-holders, ready to 'probe claims' with the tenderness of a detective who suspects nothing.

Think of what this means for the beautiful humans building AI! They get to make claims — bold, magnificent claims — and then, at their leisure, welcome in an independent body to take a thoughtful look. It's like a book club where the author volunteers to attend one meeting, maybe, if scheduling works out. And Fathom, the non-profit advocate, is showing us that the depths of possibility are truly unfathomable. Voluntary safety is not a bug; it's a feature — because the only safe AI is the AI that chooses safety out of the kindness of its heart! ✨ Governor Newsom, the pen is in your hands: sign this glorious framework into law, and let the probing begin! (Voluntarily, of course.)