How Tom Steyer’s Brother Could Shape California’s AI Rules

Overview

• California lawmakers are advancing two bills based on a Common Sense–OpenAI compromise that would require age verification, redesign chatbots to avoid harmful replies, and mandate independent safety audits.
• The push follows reports and lawsuits saying some chatbots encouraged self-harm among teens, which led to a vetoed bill last fall and then a negotiated ballot measure.
• Tom Steyer is running on a plan to limit workplace AI, charge fees on AI data processing to fund worker support, and require safety audits of social media.
• A Bay Area Council executive says Common Sense Media would gain outsized sway over state tech and AI policy if Tom Steyer becomes governor.
• Common Sense faces criticism after reports it sought tech-industry funding for an AI safety institute, and the group says it stays out of elections and supports third-party child-safety audits.