What happened
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two artificial intelligence regulation bills into law on Wednesday. SB 813 creates the California Artificial Intelligence Standards and Safety Commission to develop voluntary safety standards, while AB 1405 establishes a registry for AI risk auditors to verify credentials. Both bills received explicit support from major AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, prior to the signing.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 813 and AB 1405 into law on Wednesday, establishing new frameworks for AI safety and oversight in California. SB 813, authored by State Senator Jerry McNerney, creates the California Artificial Intelligence Standards and Safety Commission, which is tasked with developing a set of voluntary AI safety standards. AB 1405, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, creates an AI risk auditor registry designed to verify the credentials of individuals or entities conducting AI risk audits.
The legislation received notable support from major AI industry players. According to Gizmodo, citing Politico, Anthropic endorsed the bills last month. OpenAI also announced its support in the hours before the signing. Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief of Public Affairs, stated that the company has reached a new chapter in AI capabilities that demands a new chapter for AI policy. Anthropic’s statement emphasized its history of creating safeguards and its belief that the world would benefit from a lawful, verifiable way for the industry to work together to pace the release of powerful models.
Newsom addressed concerns raised by AI researcher Jacob Coxon regarding out-of-control AI, stating that these concerns reinforce California’s recognition that AI must be developed with meaningful safeguards. He also called on the federal government to step forward with robust national regulations that match the urgency of the moment. The signing follows a period of increased scrutiny on AI safety and industry practices, with the new laws providing concrete state-level mechanisms for standards and auditing.
Why it matters
This legislation marks a significant shift in California's approach to AI governance by formalizing state-level oversight mechanisms that are endorsed by the industry itself. By creating a dedicated commission for voluntary standards and a registry for auditors, the state is building infrastructure for accountability and safety verification. The explicit backing from leading AI developers suggests a potential alignment between regulatory goals and industry practices, which could influence how other jurisdictions approach AI regulation and set a precedent for collaborative governance models in the sector.
The enactment of these bills represents a concrete step toward structured AI governance in California, a major hub for AI development. By establishing a commission for voluntary standards, the state creates a body that can define safety benchmarks without imposing rigid mandates, potentially allowing for flexibility while still promoting best practices. The auditor registry adds a layer of accountability by ensuring that those assessing AI risks have verified credentials, which could enhance the credibility of safety assessments.
The explicit support from OpenAI and Anthropic is significant because it indicates that leading AI developers see value in these regulatory frameworks. This industry endorsement may facilitate smoother implementation and adoption of the standards and auditing processes. It also suggests a potential shift in the relationship between AI companies and regulators, moving from adversarial to collaborative approaches. This dynamic could influence how other states and countries approach AI regulation, potentially leading to a more unified or harmonized regulatory landscape.
The laws also address the need for transparency and accountability in AI development and deployment. By creating mechanisms for standards and auditing, California is positioning itself as a leader in AI governance. This could have broader implications for the AI industry, as companies may need to align their practices with these state-level standards to operate effectively in California and potentially in other jurisdictions that may adopt similar frameworks.
What to watch next
Monitor the formation and initial actions of the California Artificial Intelligence Standards and Safety Commission, as well as the criteria and adoption rates for the AI risk auditor registry. Watch for how other states or federal agencies respond to this industry-supported state framework and whether the voluntary standards developed by the commission gain traction as de facto industry norms.
The formation and initial activities of the California Artificial Intelligence Standards and Safety Commission will be critical to observe. The commission’s ability to develop meaningful and widely accepted voluntary standards will determine the effectiveness of SB 813. Stakeholders should watch for the commission’s composition, its methodology for developing standards, and the level of industry participation in the process.
The implementation and adoption of the AI risk auditor registry under AB 1405 will also be important. The criteria for auditor credentials, the number of auditors registered, and the frequency of audits conducted will indicate the registry’s impact on AI safety practices. Companies’ willingness to use registered auditors for their AI systems will be a key indicator of the registry’s effectiveness.
The response from other states and the federal government to California’s new AI laws will be significant. If other jurisdictions adopt similar frameworks, it could lead to a more consistent regulatory environment for AI companies. Conversely, if there is resistance or divergence, it could create compliance challenges for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. The federal government’s stance on national AI regulation, as called for by Newsom, will also be a key factor in the broader regulatory landscape.