California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Friday aimed at mitigating the risks posed by artificial intelligence, intensifying state-level efforts to regulate the rapidly evolving technology. The directive establishes a panel of experts tasked with drafting recommendations for bolstering the state’s AI safety and security statutes within a two-month timeframe.
In a statement accompanying the order, Newsom sharply criticized the federal government for its lack of regulatory action. “The federal government’s abject failure to create any form of meaningful AI oversight or accountability should alarm every American,” Newsom said, noting that even CEOs within the AI industry are calling for stricter rules. He emphasized that California intends to proceed with “urgent velocity” to implement responsible oversight before potential dangers materialize.
The move comes amid growing national anxiety following the resignation of an Anthropic researcher earlier in September. The researcher cited concerns over AI’s existential risks in a social media post, triggering debates in Washington, D.C., about necessary guardrails. However, Congress appears unlikely to pass significant AI legislation before the upcoming midterm elections, and President Donald Trump has largely resisted such regulatory calls, previously dismissing safety fears as a “hoax.”
Under the proposed guidelines, enhanced laws could mandate that frontier AI companies hire independent third parties to develop safety plans. Additionally, regulations might require firms to install a “kill switch” to allow for the immediate shutdown of AI models during emergencies, according to an announcement from the governor’s office.
Newsom is among a group of 2028 Democratic presidential contenders advocating for a more aggressive regulatory stance on AI. Other figures, such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have similarly pushed for third-party oversight of advanced models. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona has also introduced legislation to create a fund for AI safety initiatives, financed by the companies themselves.
A kill switch for AI? Sounds dramatic, but necessary. I wonder if tech giants will actually comply or just lobby it away immediately.
Finally, someone with a backbone. The federal vacuum is terrifying. California needs to lead here or we are all doomed.