California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill on Monday that regulates AI companion chatbots, making it the first state in the nation to require AI chatbot operators to implement safety protocols for AI companions. The law, SB 243, is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from some of the harms associated with AI […]
California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots Read More »
This is not California state Senator Scott Wiener’s first attempt at addressing the dangers of AI. In 2024, Silicon Valley mounted a fierce campaign against his controversial AI safety bill, SB 1047, which would have made tech companies liable for the potential harms of their AI systems. Tech leaders warned that it would stifle America’s
Scott Wiener on his fight to make Big Tech disclose AI’s dangers Read More »
On Monday, Anthropic announced an official endorsement of SB 53, a California bill from state Senator Scott Wiener that would impose first-in-the-nation transparency requirements on the world’s largest AI model developers. Anthropic’s endorsement marks a rare and major win for SB 53, at a time when major tech groups like CTA and Chamber for Progress
Anthropic endorses California’s AI safety bill, SB 53 Read More »
Tech founder Ethan Agarwal, who has raised tens of millions of dollars from VCs across two startups, is running for the 2026 California gubernatorial seat, as reported by Axios. Axios described Agarwal as a “Democrat who believes in capitalism.” He told the outlet he’s mainly concerned about the increased cost of living and doing business
Tech founder throws hat in California governor’s race Read More »
California State Senator Scott Wiener on Wednesday introduced new amendments to his latest bill, SB 53, that would require the world’s largest AI companies to publish safety and security protocols and issue reports when safety incidents occur. If signed into law, California would be the first state to impose meaningful transparency requirements onto leading AI
California lawmaker behind SB 1047 reignites push for mandated AI safety reports Read More »
As Rivian starts accepting orders for its 2026 Quad-Motor pickup truck and SUV, customers may initially be enticed by the power and tricks the four motors in these rebooted EVs can unleash. After all, four motors delivering a combined 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque — and the ability to accelerate from a standstill
The tech behind Rivian’s 2026 Quad-Motor truck and SUV — and that kick turn Read More »
California is preparing to sue the federal government in recover its right to set vehicle emissions standards, Rob Bonta, the state’s attorney general, told TechCrunch in a statement. Senate Republicans voted on Thursday 51 to 44 to overturn a waiver that allowed California to set stricter air pollution standards for vehicles. The state has received
California prepares to sue feds after Senate revokes the state’s EV rule Read More »
Senate Republicans have voted 51 to 44 to overturn a waiver that allowed California to set stricter air pollution standards for vehicles. The state has received waivers more than 100 times since federal laws granted the right some 50 years ago. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia follow California’s emissions standards, and most
Senate votes to revoke California’s ability to set air pollution standards Read More »
Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California is notifying millions of people of a data breach. The company confirmed on Wednesday that it had been sharing patients’ private health information with tech and advertising giant Google since 2021. The insurer said that the data sharing stopped in January 2024, but it only learned this February
Tesla received a permit Tuesday from the California Public Utilities Commission to operate a transportation service in the state, the beginning of a long regulatory road that could eventually lead to the company getting the OK to operate a robotaxi service there. The permit, which Tesla applied for in November 2024, doesn’t cover autonomous vehicle
What Tesla can and can’t do in California with its new passenger transportation permit Read More »
