Oppose AB 1018

I am writing to express strong opposition to Assembly Bill 1018, the Automated Decision Systems Safety Act. While well-intentioned, the bill’s broad and vague language threatens California’s tech ecosystem—especially small startups and early-stage generative AI companies.

The estimated $42 million in one-time costs and $24 million in ongoing costs to implement AB 1018 would fall hardest on smaller companies, forcing many out of California. By emphasizing outcomes over intent, the bill also exposes developers to liability for downstream effects they cannot control, creating a chilling effect on innovation in sectors like healthcare, hiring, and education.

Additionally, the requirement to publicly disclose technical documentation risks revealing proprietary information, weakening competitiveness, and discouraging both investment and talent from entering the state. Mandated disparity audits and impact assessments would be unmanageable for startups with limited resources, adding costly and unpredictable compliance burdens.

For these reasons, I urge you to oppose AB 1018 and instead pursue a regulatory approach that protects Californians while allowing innovation to thrive.

Sincerely,