On September 29, 2025, California Governor Newsom has signed a first of its kind AI bill related to safety and transparency. The bill, Senate Bill 53 titled the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, establishes comprehensive transparency, safety, and whistleblower protections for developers of “frontier AI” systems. Frontier AI systems are systems that have advanced capabilities that could pose significant risks if misused.
While SB 53 is primarily directed at the developers of large AI models, it signals a growing expectation that any organization deploying or contracting for AI tools, including school districts and other educational institutions, understand and evaluate the safety and accountability measures of the AI systems they use.
As AI becomes more integrated into educational tools, from adaptive learning to administrative uses, transparency and safety assurances are becoming part of standard due diligence. SB 53 reinforces California’s position that AI innovation must include safeguards for students, staff, and the broader public.
Education institutions should review AI vendor contracts to ensure alignment with new transparency and risk disclosure expectations and monitor guidance from state agencies implementing SB 53.
The law makes California the first state to enact a statute specifically targeting frontier artificial intelligence (AI) safety and transparency.
