California has passed Senate Bill 53, a landmark law designed to regulate artificial intelligence in the state that is home to tech giants such as Apple, Google, Meta and OpenAI in Silicon Valley.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation on Monday, with the aim of encouraging innovation while establishing a legal framework to safeguard individual rights.
Under SB 53, companies working with AI will now be required to ensure full transparency regarding safety protocols and to report any serious incidents.
The law marks a significant step forward in regulating AI, a field that until now has remained largely unregulated, even as US companies pour billions into the technology.
“California has shown its ability to set regulations that protect our communities while ensuring the prosperity of the rapidly growing AI sector. This legislation strikes that balance. AI represents the new frontier of innovation, and California is not only at the forefront, but is asserting itself as a national leader by adopting the country’s first AI safety law,” Governor Newsom said.
