California has become the first state in the nation to pass comprehensive AI safety legislation after Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 53 into law. The groundbreaking bill sets new transparency requirements for major AI companies and establishes stronger protections for both the public and employees within the industry.
SB 53, passed by lawmakers just two weeks ago, applies to leading AI labs such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind. Under the law, these companies must disclose their safety protocols and provide whistleblower protections for staff who raise concerns. It also introduces a system for both the public and AI developers to report critical safety incidents directly to California’s Office of Emergency Services.
The reporting requirements go beyond the EU AI Act by covering incidents tied to crimes committed without human oversight, including cyberattacks and deceptive model behavior. Lawmakers hope this measure will build public trust in AI while holding companies accountable for real-world risks.
Reactions to the bill have been mixed. Industry leaders have long warned that state-level AI regulation could create a patchwork of rules that complicates compliance and slows innovation. OpenAI and Meta lobbied against the bill, with OpenAI publishing an open letter urging Newsom not to sign it. On the other hand, Anthropic endorsed the legislation, seeing it as a balanced step toward responsible AI governance.
The political backdrop adds more weight to the decision. In recent months, tech executives from Meta, OpenAI, and other Silicon Valley giants have poured hundreds of millions into pro-AI super PACs. Their goal is to support candidates who favor a lighter regulatory approach to artificial intelligence.
Despite industry resistance, California’s leadership may influence other states. New York lawmakers have already passed a similar measure, which now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
In his statement, Governor Newsom emphasized that California can lead the nation in both innovation and responsibility. He said the bill shows it’s possible to safeguard communities without stifling technological growth. Calling AI the “new frontier in innovation,” he stressed that the legislation sets a model for public trust as the technology evolves at breakneck speed.
SB 53 marks Senator Scott Wiener’s second push for AI safety laws. Last year, Newsom vetoed Wiener’s earlier, broader proposal, SB 1047, after heavy lobbying from AI companies. This time, Wiener consulted directly with industry leaders to refine the bill and secure broader support.
The governor is also reviewing another related proposal, SB 243, which would regulate AI companion chatbots. That measure would require companies to build in safety protocols and accept legal responsibility when those systems fail. If signed, it would further expand California’s role as a national trailblazer in AI regulation.
