Oct 6, 2025
Anthropic
California has passed SB 53, the first broad AI safety law in the US. The law requires major AI developers to follow strict safety protocols and report on their practices, with a focus on preventing catastrophic risks like cyberattacks on critical infrastructure or the creation of bioweapons. Enforcement falls to the California Office of Emergency Services.
Many of the requirements, such as security audits and publishing model cards, are already standard at large AI companies. Still, industry pressure could lead some firms to lower their safety standards. xAI, for example, recently faced criticism for not releasing its own security tests.
While SB 53 faced less resistance than its predecessor SB 1047 - and even won public support from Anthropic - the tech sector remains wary. The dominant narrative is that government regulation could hurt US innovation, especially in competition with China.
