California's AI Laws Are About to Meet Reality

As California prepares to enforce new AI regulations on January 1, 2026, the state is focusing on controlling how AI systems interact with users in real-time, particularly in sensitive contexts. Two laws, SB 243 and AB 489, will require AI systems that engage with users to have mechanisms to avoid self-harm content, prevent misleading medical advice, and maintain transparency about their non-human nature. These regulations emphasize the need for AI systems to have dynamic guardrails that can adjust to real-world interactions, rather than relying solely on static rules. Lakera's Guard tool offers solutions for teams to enforce these requirements by allowing them to define precise policies and intercept inappropriate responses. While a federal executive order has been issued to review state-level AI regulations, California's laws remain set to take effect, highlighting the state's pioneering role in bringing AI governance into practical application.