California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order aimed at addressing potential safety risks from artificial intelligence (AI), taking action as federal-level regulation remains limited and some national leaders, including President Donald Trump, oppose stricter measures.
Political context
Newsom, a prominent Democrat who is mentioned among figures considering a 2028 presidential bid, has pushed for tighter AI rules. The issue drew renewed attention earlier this month after a researcher at Anthropic resigned and posted on social media warning that AI could pose existential risks to humanity. That statement created significant discussion in Washington, but Congress is not expected to pass substantial AI legislation before the 2026 midterm elections.
What the order does
Under the executive order, California will convene an expert panel charged with developing guidance on AI safety within two months. Based on that guidance, the state may strengthen its regulations. Possible measures noted in the order include requiring independent parties to prepare safety plans for the most advanced AI developers and mandating that companies build an emergency shutdown or "kill switch" capability into their models.
Why it matters
Newsom criticized the federal government, saying the lack of effective federal oversight of AI should concern all Americans, particularly as leaders of AI companies themselves have called for regulation. The California initiative demonstrates that states can move to establish regulatory frameworks in the absence of decisive federal action.
Additional notes
The report was highlighted by CNBC. Details about the composition of the expert panel and the precise regulatory changes are still being developed and will depend on the panel’s recommendations.
An AI assistant participated in preparing this article; a journalist edited and verified the final content.
Tags: Washington, artificial intelligence, legislation, regulation, United States, California, Democrat, safety risk, AI, Gavin Newsom
