OpenAI has thrown its support behind California Senate Bill 1119, legislation establishing safeguards for young people using AI. The backing builds on CEO Sam Altman's prior commitment to teen AI principles. In a letter to Governor Newsom, OpenAI commends Senator Steve Padilla, Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and the Legislature for leadership on this issue.

The bill aims to set a strong standard in the absence of federal action. OpenAI highlights that nearly nine in ten teens use ChatGPT weekly for learning and productivity, emphasizing the need for protections tailored to developmental needs. The company's newly launched ChatGPT for Teens features automatic safeguards for users under 18, including built-in controls and parental options.

These protections are baseline defaults, not optional settings. OpenAI argues the bill balances accountability with continued access to useful tools, specifically addressing age determination, safety risk identification, independent audits, and protection from harmful content. The legislation also seeks to limit targeted advertising and protect personal information.

For ages 13 through 17, these safeguards would apply automatically. OpenAI states the bill recognizes AI differs from social media, preserving access to educational features like ChatGPT's memory while promoting safer experiences. The company's ChatGPT for Teens includes features like Quizzes, Learning Visualizations, and Study mode, developed with educators to guide students step-by-step.

These tools aim to deepen understanding and support stronger learning habits, with memory features helping apply safeguards consistently over time.