California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Landmark Bill Creating AI Safety Measures

The law requires AI companies to disclose safety protocols for their most advanced models and report safety incidents to the state within 15 days.

Associated Press

Sep 29, 2025 — 3 min read

Photo of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, speaking next to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, during the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in New York, by Andres Kudacki/AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2025 (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a law that aims to prevent people from using powerful artificial intelligence models for potentially catastrophic activities like building a bioweapon or shutting down a bank system.

The move comes as Newsom touted California as a leader in AI regulation and criticized the inaction at the federal level in a recent conversation with former President Bill Clinton. The new law will establish some of the first-in-the-nation regulations on large-scale AI models without hurting the state's homegrown industry, Newsom said. Many of the world's top AI companies are located in California and will have to follow the requirements.

“California has proven that we can establish regulations to protect our communities while also ensuring that the growing AI industry continues to thrive. This legislation strikes that balance," Newsom said in a statement.