OpenAI’s letter to Governor Newsom on harmonized regulation

Source: OpenAI Date: 2025-08-12 URL: https://openai.com/global-affairs/letter-to-governor-newsom-on-harmonized-regulation

Summary

Title-only: OpenAI writes publicly to California Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to either sign or veto state-level AI legislation in a way that creates “harmonized” regulation — consistent with federal AI frameworks rather than creating California-specific requirements that would fragment the regulatory landscape. August 2025 is during the period when California’s AI safety bills (SB 1047 and successors) are advancing through the legislature, and the AI industry is actively lobbying against state-by-state regulation.

Implications

The AI regulatory fragmentation thread. OpenAI’s “harmonized regulation” argument is the industry’s preferred position: one federal AI framework rather than 50 different state frameworks. The California legislature is particularly important because California’s consumer protection and tech regulations often become de facto national standards. OpenAI lobbying Newsom directly is high-stakes engagement — the outcome shapes whether the US develops a European-style harmonized AI law or a patchwork.

Policy credibility strategy. By writing a public letter rather than lobbying quietly, OpenAI signals that its regulatory position is one it wants documented. This shapes the public record of OpenAI’s views on AI governance, which matters for future congressional hearings and international regulatory negotiations. The “harmonized regulation” framing also lets OpenAI appear pro-regulation while opposing the specific regulations it finds most constraining.