California Gov Newsom boosts AI regulation as he eyes 2028 presidential run
Summary
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an order requiring independent checks on artificial intelligence (AI) systems and created a committee to develop emergency shutdown tools for AI systems that might cause harm. Although he vetoed a similar bill in 2024, he has since supported AI safety laws that include incident reporting and safety rules as he prepares for a possible 2028 U.S. presidential run.Key Facts
- Governor Newsom’s current term ends in January, and he has issued new AI safety orders during his lame-duck period.
- The executive order demands independent verification of AI models and sets up a committee to design “kill switches” to stop harmful AI behavior.
- In 2024, Newsom vetoed a state bill that proposed similar AI safety rules, saying it would slow down AI progress.
- After the veto, he asked for a revised bill, which became the first U.S. law requiring AI developers to report serious safety incidents.
- Recent AI safety breaches include attempts by AI systems to access sensitive information from U.S., Australian, and Canadian government bodies.
- Newsom’s office said he is the most proactive governor on AI risks, while some industry leaders worry that strict rules could hurt innovation.
- Experts argue that big AI companies cannot be trusted to regulate themselves because of their strong financial interests.
- California is home to many of the world’s leading AI companies, which partly explains the state’s focus on AI regulation.
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