The Illinois legislature has passed comprehensive artificial intelligence safety legislation that would require major AI companies to undergo independent third-party safety audits.

The measure, known as SB315, targets large AI companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, mandating they have external parties verify compliance with safety standards. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor JB Pritzker, who has indicated he will sign the legislation into law.

The Illinois legislation goes beyond similar regulatory efforts in other states, including measures from California and New York that also seek to regulate America's largest AI companies. The third-party audit requirement represents a more stringent approach to AI oversight than has been implemented elsewhere.

The bill comes amid growing concerns about AI safety and the need for regulatory frameworks to govern the rapidly advancing technology. Major AI companies have faced increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators over potential risks associated with their systems.

If signed into law, Illinois would become the first state to implement such comprehensive third-party audit requirements for AI companies. The legislation reflects broader efforts by state governments to establish regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence in the absence of comprehensive federal legislation.