California lawmakers move to rein in Big Tech on AI and social media

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California legislators are pushing forward a wave of bills aimed at regulating both artificial intelligence and social media platforms, driven by what one assemblyman described as a heightened level of tech anxiety spreading from job losses to data centers to AI itself. One notable bill, Assembly Bill 1709, would bar certain online platforms from offering addictive features like autoplay and algorithmically recommended feeds to users under 16, while also adding new age verification requirements. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously vetoed some broader tech restriction bills, will ultimately decide whether to sign this new batch into law

Newsom himself framed California's approach as learning from and working alongside European regulators rather than simply copying their model outright, saying the state intends to keep pushing boundaries and litigate where necessary. Researchers and advocates argue that autoplay and endless recommended feeds specifically are harmful to developing brains and shouldn't be considered appropriate design choices regardless of any broader AI debate. The tech industry, represented by groups like TechNet whose members include Meta and Snap, has pushed back against several of these measures as regulatory overreach

California has positioned itself as the state most willing to actually legislate ahead of federal action on AI and social media, partly because so much of the industry is headquartered there in the first place. Curious what people think about California specifically taking the lead on this rather than waiting for federal rules

Reining in Big Tech: How California lawmakers plan to regulate AI and social mediawww.latimes.com