OpenAI, Anthropic Support AI Transparency Bill as States Adopt Frameworks
A bipartisan push is gathering momentum in Washington to codify how companies disclose the inner workings of their generative‑AI systems. The proposal, introduced last month, seeks to create a uniform set of reporting requirements that would sit atop the patchwork of state‑level rules already taking shape. Already, two of the nation’s largest states have rolled out their own transparency frameworks, signaling a growing appetite for clearer guidance on model provenance, data sources and potential biases.
Industry heavyweights have signaled their support, arguing that a federal baseline could streamline compliance and prevent a race to the bottom. Yet the bill is not unopposed; a political action committee linked to a prominent venture firm and the president of a leading AI lab has begun mobilizing resources to challenge the legislation. The clash underscores a broader debate over whether oversight should be driven from Capitol Hill or left to market forces, and why the next steps matter for developers, regulators and users alike.
OpenAI and Anthropic backed the bill while urging federal standards, with Anthropic noting that two major states now have AI transparency frameworks. Some tech figures are actively opposing the measure: a super PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman is targeting Assemblyman Alex Bores, a co-sponsor alongside Senator Andrew Gounardes, who called the law the "strongest AI safety law in the country." The law explicitly references California's approach as a benchmark. Amazon's AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com Amazon launched Alexa.com to bring its overhauled AI assistant, Alexa+, to the web for Early Access users, complementing its presence on Echo devices and the updated Alexa mobile app.
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OpenAI and Anthropic have thrown their weight behind the AI Transparency Bill, urging that federal standards follow the two states already running transparency frameworks. Yet the backing is not unanimous; a super‑PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman is actively targeting the measure, suggesting a split among industry leaders. What does this divergence mean for policymakers?
The bill’s supporters argue that a unified approach could curb the opaque practices highlighted by recent Nvidia announcements and the controversial Grok prompts that surfaced last week. Conversely, critics remain uncertain whether the proposed federal rules will address the underlying issues raised by the RAISE Act and state‑level efforts. If legislators adopt the bill as written, it could provide a baseline for accountability, but the effectiveness of such a baseline is still unclear.
Ultimately, the mixed signals from leading AI firms underscore how the path toward consistent oversight is still being negotiated, with both technical advances and political maneuvering shaping the outcome.
Further Reading
- Sharing our compliance framework for California's Transparency in ... - Anthropic
- OpenAI's letter to Governor Newsom on harmonized regulation - OpenAI
- What is California's AI safety law? - Brookings Institution
- SB 53: What California's New AI Safety Law Means for Developers - Wharton
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Common Questions Answered
What specific actions did OpenAI and Anthropic take to support the AI Transparency Bill?
OpenAI and Anthropic publicly backed the AI Transparency Bill, urging that any federal standards should align with the transparency frameworks already adopted by two major states. Their endorsement emphasizes the need for uniform reporting requirements across the nation.
Which state’s AI transparency approach is explicitly referenced in the bill, and why is it significant?
The bill explicitly references California’s AI transparency framework, highlighting it as a model for federal legislation. California’s approach is significant because it sets detailed guidelines on model provenance, data sources, and potential risks, serving as a benchmark for other jurisdictions.
Who is leading the opposition to the AI Transparency Bill and what tactics are they employing?
A super PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman is spearheading the opposition, targeting Assemblyman Alex Bores, a co‑sponsor of the bill. The PAC’s strategy involves political pressure and lobbying to influence lawmakers against the proposed federal standards.
What statement did Senator Andrew Gounardes make about the AI Transparency Bill?
Senator Andrew Gounardes described the legislation as the "strongest AI safety law in the country." He emphasized that the bill would provide robust safeguards and clear disclosure requirements for generative‑AI systems.