California Governor Newsom Signs Landmark AI Safety Bill SB 53

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed SB 53, a groundbreaking bill that establishes new transparency and safety standards for large artificial intelligence companies — the first legislation of its kind in the United States.

SB 53, which cleared the state legislature two weeks ago, mandates that major AI developers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind, disclose their AI safety and risk management protocols. It also introduces whistleblower protections for employees who raise concerns about potential AI-related risks.

In addition to transparency measures, SB 53 establishes a new reporting mechanism within the California Office of Emergency Services, enabling companies and the public to report critical AI safety incidents. These include events involving autonomous crimes, cyberattacks without human oversight, and deceptive model behaviour — incidents not explicitly covered under the EU AI Act.

Industry Reactions

The bill has sparked mixed reactions across Silicon Valley. While Anthropic publicly supported SB 53, OpenAI and Meta lobbied against it, arguing that state-level regulation could create a fragmented patchwork of rules that stifles innovation. OpenAI even published an open letter urging Governor Newsom not to sign the bill.

Meanwhile, some of the tech industry’s most powerful figures have been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in pro-AI political action committees (PACs) aimed at backing candidates who favour a lighter regulatory approach.

Despite the pushback, Newsom defended the legislation, describing it as a balanced approach that strikes a balance between innovation and public protection.

“California has proven that we can establish regulations to protect our communities while also ensuring that the growing AI industry continues to thrive,” Newsom said. “AI is the new frontier in innovation, and California stands strong as a national leader by enacting the first-in-the-nation frontier AI safety legislation that builds public trust as this emerging technology rapidly evolves.”

A Model for Other States

California’s action could inspire other states to follow suit. In New York, a similar AI transparency bill has already passed the legislature and now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision.

What’s Next

Governor Newsom is also reviewing another measure, SB 243, which focuses on AI companion chatbots. That bill would require chatbot operators to adopt safety protocols and hold them legally accountable for any harmful behaviour or failure to meet those standards.

SB 53 marks Senator Scott Wiener’s second attempt at AI regulation after Governor Newsom vetoed his earlier, broader proposal, SB 1047, last year amid industry backlash. This time, Wiener engaged more closely with AI firms to explain the scope and revisions of the bill.