Honestly, if you've been trying to keep up with the mess of California AI law in October 2025 news, I don't blame you for being a little confused. One day you hear about "landmark" safety bills getting vetoed, and the next, Governor Newsom is signing 18 different laws in a single month. It’s a lot. Most of what you see on social media or in quick news bites misses the nuances of what actually happened at the Governor's desk this fall.
Basically, California just decided how the rest of the world will probably have to treat AI. Because the state is home to OpenAI, Meta, and Google, these local rules effectively become the global standard. But here’s the kicker: the "scariest" bill everyone talked about—SB 1047—died a quiet death, and its replacement, SB 53, is a very different beast.
The Big Veto and the Rise of SB 53
Last year, everyone was bracing for SB 1047. It was the "kill switch" bill. It would have held developers legally liable if their AI models helped someone build a bioweapon or launch a massive cyberattack. Silicon Valley threw a collective fit. They argued it would kill innovation and drive startups out of the state.
Newsom agreed. He vetoed it, saying it was too broad and focused on the size of the model rather than how it was actually used.
So, what happened in October 2025? We got the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (SB 53) instead. It’s a "trust but verify" approach. Instead of a kill switch, the law now forces companies like OpenAI and Google to be nakedly transparent.
What SB 53 actually does
Starting in 2026, if you are a "large frontier developer," you have to publish your internal safety frameworks right on your website. No more hiding behind proprietary secrets. You have to explain—in detail—how you are preventing "catastrophic risks."
The law defines these risks specifically:
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- Cyberattacks that could kill more than 50 people.
- Weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, or nuclear).
- Theft or damage exceeding $1 billion.
If a company messes up or lies about their safety protocols, the Attorney General can hit them with fines of up to $1 million per violation. It also gives massive whistleblower protections to the engineers inside these companies. If a researcher sees a model "hallucinating" how to cook up a virus, they can report it without fearing they'll lose their career.
The "Companion Bot" Crackdown (SB 243)
One of the most interesting bits of California AI law October 2025 news involves what people are calling the "Her" law. We've all seen the stories of people getting emotionally attached to AI chatbots. Sometimes, it gets dark.
Governor Newsom signed SB 243 on October 13, 2025. It targets "companion bots."
If you're using an AI that’s designed to be a "friend" or a "partner," the app now has to follow strict safety protocols. If you're a minor, the bot has to interrupt you every three hours. It basically says, "Hey, I’m a computer. Go outside and talk to a human." It’s a reality check built into the code.
More importantly, these bots are now legally prohibited from encouraging self-harm or suicidal ideation. They have to report statistics to the Department of Public Health on how often they’ve had to trigger crisis notifications.
Deepfakes and Your "Digital Likeness"
Hollywood was a massive player in this year's legislative cycle. Between the SAG-AFTRA strikes and the explosion of AI-generated "nude" photos, things were getting out of hand.
The new laws that took effect or were signed this October (like AB 1836 and AB 2602) are pretty aggressive. Basically, you own your face and voice, even after you die.
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- Dead celebrities: You can’t use a deceased actor’s likeness for a commercial without their estate’s permission. This lasts for 70 years after they pass.
- Voice clones: If a contract tries to sneak in a clause that lets a studio "clone" your voice to replace you in future projects, that clause is now unenforceable unless you were represented by a lawyer or a union.
- Deepfake Porn: The penalties for creating or distributing non-consensual AI porn skyrocketed. Victims can now sue for up to $250,000 per action against anyone who knowingly helps distribute that content.
AI in the Workplace: The New Rules
If you’re a business owner in California, this is the part that actually affects your day-to-day. As of October 1, 2025, new regulations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) officially went into effect.
The state is terrified of "algorithmic bias."
If you use an AI tool to screen resumes, conduct video interviews, or decide who gets a promotion, you are now legally on the hook if that tool discriminates against people based on race, age, or disability. You can’t just point at the software and say, "The computer did it."
You have to keep records of your "Automated Decision Systems" (ADS) for at least four years. This includes the data used to train the tool and the results of any bias audits you’ve performed. If you haven't audited your hiring software yet, you're basically sitting on a legal time bomb.
The "Health Care AI" Lie (AB 489)
This one is simple but huge. A new law signed in mid-October makes it illegal for an AI to pretend it has a medical license.
It sounds stupid, right? But many "health coach" bots were using language that made them sound like doctors. AB 489 bans AI developers from using medical titles or phrases that imply they are authorized to give healthcare advice.
Also, if a hospital uses generative AI to send you a message or a report, they must include a disclaimer saying a human didn't write it.
Why This Matters for You
Kinda feels like a lot of red tape, doesn't it? But for most of us, this actually provides a layer of protection that didn't exist six months ago.
The California AI law October 2025 news cycle shows a shift from "let's stop the robots from taking over the world" to "let's stop the robots from lying to us, tricking our kids, and getting us fired." It’s practical. It’s messy. And it’s definitely not over.
There’s already talk of a 2026 ballot initiative because some activists think these laws are too weak. They want a "California Kids AI Safety Act" that goes even further than the current chatbot rules.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're trying to stay ahead of these changes, here is what you should actually do:
- Check your HR tech: If you use any software that "ranks" or "filters" job applicants, ask the vendor for their latest bias audit. If they don't have one, find a new vendor. You are liable, not them.
- Watermark your content: If you're a creator, start using tools that embed provenance data. The California AI Transparency Act (AB 853) is pushing for this. Soon, platforms like Instagram and X will be required to show users if a photo was "AI-captured" or "AI-generated."
- Review your data retention: If you're a developer, ensure you're keeping the documentation required by AB 2013. You need to be able to show where your training data came from if the state comes knocking.
- Update your disclaimers: If your business uses a chatbot to talk to customers, make sure it identifies itself as AI immediately. Don't try to be "clever" and hide it.
The era of the "AI Wild West" in California is officially over. We’ve moved into the era of the audit. Honestly, it’s probably for the best.