Illinois Lawmakers Just Passed America’s Strongest AI Security Bill

House of Illinois of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday requiring frontier AI labs like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind to participate. security systems checked by someone else. If signed into law, AI security experts tell WIRED it would be a national leader explore the strengths of major AI companies.

The bill, SB 315, now heads to the desk of governor JB Pritzker. In a post On Wednesday, Pritzker said he plans to sign the bill, citing the need to hold Big Tech accountable.

Since Congress has yet to enact safety laws for AI, state lawmakers have moved with gusto in recent years to push bills that show their states are in charge of Silicon Valley. As AI tools become more and more sophisticated, and companies behind them rush to large IPOsPolls show that the American electorate is looking at more AI rules.

As a result, security advocates and technology companies have turned to federal courts as a battleground to define what the rules should look like. The CEO of OpenAI, Chris Lehane, he told WIRED last week that the company’s AI strategy is now focused on passing similar government regulations.

California and New York currently have the strongest AI security laws, which require tech companies to provide information about surveillance systems and publish reports on security breaches when they occur. The Illinois bill is moving forward, requiring independent auditors to ensure that an AI lab is following its safety standards. Previously, no independent agency required an AI lab to be accountable for its security measures.

“We’re in a situation where AI companies are doing their homework,” said Scott Wisor, policy director at the Secure AI Project, a nonprofit organization that supports SB 315. “If SB 315 becomes law, Illinois would require an independent auditor to see if AI labs are actually following through on their security promises.”

Wisor says it’s expected that, under SB 315, AI labs could use the big four accounting and auditing firms—Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC—to review their security practices. He also said that it is possible that the AI ​​labs could draw members of the AI Evaluator Forum-collaboration of small research organizations including METR, Transluce, and AVERI-to assess compliance with safety standards.

Illinois State Representative Daniel Didech, a sponsor of SB 315, tells WIRED that state legislatures are playing an important role in shaping America’s AI policy and acting as a testing ground for future federal legislation. “Legislation like this creates an opportunity for the government to take action,” said Didech.

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Illinois has emerged as a major arena in the ongoing battle over state AI legislation. OpenAI already he supported the bill in Illinois that would allow AI labs to avoid liability if their models cause accidents. However, Lehane also commented on the company The blanket support for the bill was oversightand did not support the debt shield in the bill. Recently, OpenAI endorsed SB 315.

“The Illinois Legislature has shown true bipartisan leadership by advancing SB 315 and creating a policy that considers AI security. As AI systems become more capable, there are clear expectations for security, transparency, incident reporting, and accountability,” Lehane said in a statement to WIRED.