- Anthropic endorses SB 53, pushing for transparency in frontier AI.
- Bill targets major AI developers, focusing on catastrophic risk prevention.
- SB 53 could set a U.S. precedent for state-level AI regulation.
In a major development for AI governance, Anthropic has publicly endorsed California’s SB 53, a bill proposed by State Senator Scott Wiener. The legislation aims to impose groundbreaking transparency and safety requirements on frontier AI model developers, including OpenAI, Google, and xAI. The endorsement is particularly notable given strong lobbying from tech groups like the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and the Chamber for Progress against the bill.
What SB 53 Requires from AI Developers
If passed, SB 53 would compel AI companies generating over $500 million in revenue to implement robust safety frameworks and publish public reports on safety and security measures before deploying high-powered models. The bill also introduces whistleblower protections for employees who raise safety concerns. Its focus is on mitigating extreme risks, such as AI-assisted creation of biological weapons or cyberattacks causing significant financial or human losses.
Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark emphasized that while a federal standard would be ideal, the industry cannot wait for Washington to act. “This creates a solid blueprint for AI governance that cannot be ignored,” Clark said, highlighting the urgency of proactive oversight.
Industry Pushback and Political Context
SB 53 has faced criticism from major AI investors and companies, with arguments centering on potential conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause and concerns that state-level regulation could stifle innovation. OpenAI’s letter to Governor Gavin Newsom warned against rules that could push startups out of California, though the letter did not mention SB 53 explicitly. Despite this, policy experts like Dean Ball view SB 53 as a modest and technically informed approach that is more likely to pass than previous AI safety bills.
The legislation has already cleared an initial Senate vote and awaits a final vote before advancing to Governor Newsom’s desk, who has previously vetoed AI safety bills but remains silent on SB 53.
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Why SB 53 Matters for AI Safety
SB 53 represents a significant step toward formalizing AI safety and accountability, targeting the world’s most powerful AI models while leaving smaller developers less burdened. By codifying safety practices into law, the bill seeks to prevent catastrophic risks before they occur, rather than reacting after a crisis. Its passage could set a precedent for state-level AI governance in the United States, influencing both domestic and global policy.
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