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OpenAI has entered the arena of California's ballot measure politics with its first initiative aimed at regulating AI companion chatbots.
The measure, unveiled on Monday, proposes safety controls for chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT. This initiative comes in response to another AI safety proposal introduced in October by Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit focused on kids' online safety.
OpenAI's proposal, titled the "AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act," aims to build on existing legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October, which requires tech companies to notify users when interacting with AI and to address suicidal behavior. OpenAI's measure seeks to introduce additional safety standards, such as age verification and parental controls, to ensure AI is safe for young users. However, it is less comprehensive than Steyer's "California Kids’ AI Safety Act," which includes stricter limits on AI interactions with children, new privacy protections, and AI literacy resources for students.
The introduction of two competing measures could lead to voter confusion, potentially reducing the chances of either passing. OpenAI's measure will need to gather signatures by June 2026 to qualify for the November ballot. If both measures make it to the ballot and pass, the one with the most votes will take effect.
Steyer's measure has received support from figures like former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Meanwhile, OpenAI is leveraging its political connections, including former U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, to promote its initiative. The company aims to balance safety with innovation, emphasizing that AI should be safe for kids to use for learning without being entirely banned.