California Passes AI Safety Bill for Kids — OpenAI Tried to Stop It

California just passed a new law that sets the first major rules for how AI chatbots like ChatGPT can interact with kids. The bill, SB 1119, requires AI companies to verify a user’s age, give parents tools to limit their kids’ screen time with chatbots, and undergo independent safety audits. It also bans companies from selling data collected from kids’ chats or targeting them with personalized ads based on their conversations. Ads can still be shown, but they must be clearly labeled and can’t rely on kids’ personal information.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, reportedly tried to lobby Governor Gavin Newsom before the bill passed, but it’s unclear how much influence he had. The bill passed the legislature and now just needs Newsom’s signature to become law. OpenAI says it supports the bill and already offers safeguards for teens, like automatically placing 13–17-year-olds in a safer version of ChatGPT.

This law is a big deal because it’s one of the first attempts to regulate AI’s impact on children after reports of kids being harmed by unchecked chatbots. California has long been a friend to Silicon Valley, but public pressure and high-profile tragedies have pushed lawmakers to act. Newsom, who is term-limited, is expected to run for president in 2028, adding political stakes to the decision.

The bill’s passage comes as other California candidates for governor—like Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton—have shown less interest in strict AI regulation. Becerra leads in polls and has received Silicon Valley donations, while Hilton opposes most regulations and is married to a former Google executive. Newsom’s decision on the bill could signal California’s—and the nation’s—stance on AI safety for years to come.