Press Release
California Assembly Passes SB 53, A World-Leading Advancement of AI Safety and Public Computing Power
09. 13. 2025
Statement from Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California Action, on SB 53 Passing Through the California Assembly
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly today passed SB 53 (Wiener), groundbreaking legislation that would democratize access to the computing power used for artificial intelligence and establish critical safety and transparency requirements for its development. After concurrence, the bill will head to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature.
By creating CalCompute, a world-leading public option for cloud computing infrastructure, the bill ensures researchers, startups, and public institutions can access the computing power they need to develop breakthrough AI solutions that serve the public good. CalCompute will democratize access to and disrupt concentration of critical AI infrastructure that is currently held by a tiny handful of corporate giants: Amazon, Microsoft and Google.
The bill also strengthens safety and accountability for AI companies. Drawing on recommendations from Governor Newsom’s AI Working Group, SB 53 requires transparency from AI developers about large model capabilities, mandates reporting of critical safety incidents to the Office of Emergency Services, and protects whistleblowers who expose risks. These provisions codify voluntary commitments already made by leading AI companies, establishing common sense “trust, but verify” standards.
Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California Action (ESCAA), a co-sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:
“SB 53 is a breakthrough for anyone who believes technology should serve the public good. The advancements and innovations of AI should benefit all of us, not just a handful of corporations and their investors. By creating CalCompute, we’re ensuring that the transformative power of AI is available to brilliant researchers, entrepreneurs, and institutions who would otherwise be locked out because of Big Tech’s gatekeeping. The bill also implements the recommendations of Governor Newsom’s AI Working Group, creating a transparency and safety framework in the birthplace of this technology that protects generations to come.
Commonsense guardrails like the ones introduced in this legislation don’t stifle innovation—they fuel it. The public should expect AI to deliver on its promise that its benefits are shared broadly and also, that its risks are managed responsibly. Tech titans who dominate the industry have tried to slowroll any accountability by fearmongering and falsely claiming that any oversight will shut down innovation. But history tells a different story: when a handful of giants control the market, innovation and public safety are at risk, and costs soar. When we set fair rules of the road, innovation flourishes, and the public’s confidence in the new technology’s safety grows.
CalCompute is a public investment in the American entrepreneurial spirit. It will democratize access to critical AI infrastructure, and empower Californians to build AI tools that solve our more pressing public problems— whether that’s advancing medical research to addressing climate change to improving disaster response.
We urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 53 and make CalCompute a reality and cement California’s leadership in responsible AI.”
After passing through the California State Assembly, the bill heads to the California State Senate for concurrence and on to the Governor’s desk for signature.