OpenAI says California should strengthen its AI safety bill
OpenAI reversed course on California's AI safety bill—now pushing to make it even stricter.
Why it matters
A frontier lab publicly backing stronger AI regulation signals shifting industry consensus on safety guardrails, and may influence how other states and the federal government approach AI oversight.
The key facts
8 to knowOpenAI previously opposed SB 53; now calling for strengthening it
SB 53 is California AI safety legislation
Position reversal suggests lab-level acceptance of regulatory frameworks
Timing: August 2026 — likely closer to legislative window
OpenAI previously opposed SB 53, now calling for strengthening
California AI safety bill SB 53 in legislative consideration
Reflects broader shift in frontier lab regulatory positioning
Published August 22, 2026
Go to the source
TechCrunch AItechcrunch.com
Publisher excerpt: OpenAI is calling for California to strengthen SB 53, an AI safety bill that the company previously opposed.