“Elon Musk’s recent endorsement of California’s SB 1047, aimed at regulating ‘frontier AI models,’ has ignited an important conversation in the tech community. As the CEO of Ombori, a company committed to the responsible advancement of AI, I believe this debate highlights a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI technology and policy.

Andreas Hassellöf, CEO of Ombori

Musk’s tweet (https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1828205685386936567) supporting the bill has taken many by surprise, given his previous stance on AI regulation. This shift underscores the complexity of the issues we face as we push the boundaries of AI capabilities.

At Ombori, we fully support the need for regulation in the AI space. Thoughtful and well-crafted regulations are essential for providing the guidelines that ensure AI is developed and deployed safely and ethically. However, our concern with SB 1047 lies specifically in its approach to limiting compute capacity. While the intention behind this measure is understandable, we believe that restricting compute power could inadvertently stifle innovation without effectively addressing the core safety concerns associated with AI.

Open-source development has been a cornerstone of AI innovation, fostering collaboration and accelerating progress across the industry. Many AI ventures, including potentially Musk’s own xAI, have benefited significantly from this collaborative ecosystem. We should be careful not to implement regulations that could hinder this vital aspect of AI development, especially as the global race for AI leadership intensifies.

In regions like the UAE, where innovation is strongly supported, a balanced approach to regulation could position them as new hubs for AI development and potentially leapfrog more restrictive markets. This global context must be considered as we shape AI policy.

Rather than imposing broad restrictions, we advocate for targeted regulations that address specific high-risk applications of AI while still promoting innovation and collaboration. It’s crucial that we work together—policymakers, industry leaders, and the tech community—to create regulations that protect against real risks without limiting the potential for progress.
The future of AI is too important to be decided by hasty legislation or blanket solutions. As industry leaders, it’s our responsibility to guide this conversation towards more nuanced, effective approaches to AI governance.

At Ombori, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI responsibly, and we believe that open dialogue and collaboration are key to shaping a future where AI benefits everyone. We call on policymakers to engage more deeply with the tech community to craft regulations that protect against genuine risks without sacrificing our innovative edge or the spirit of open source collaboration that has driven so much progress in this field.”