California Gov. Gavin Newsom don sign one executive order on Friday wey dey call on federal government to take more active role to regulate artificial intelligence. Newsom, wey many people see as likely 2028 presidential contender, talk say Trump administration don abdicate ‘its responsibility to protect Americans’ as AI dey become more advanced and capable every month.
The order recommend more stringent oversight on companies wey dey develop AI, and e require those same firms to develop one ‘kill switch’ for their frontier models if dem go rogue. ‘We’re not waiting to act – we’re going to speed up our work on substantial and responsible AI oversight before it’s too late. We’re going to do this thoughtfully but with urgent velocity; the stakes are too high to wait or delay action,’ Newsom talk.
In a video on his personal YouTube channel, Newsom deliver sharp critique of President Donald Trump, who recently talk say risks around AI na ‘hoax.’ ‘There’s still no comprehensive federal law, none, requiring AI companies to report dangerous incidents when they happen, and President Trump has rejected calls for new regulation. No new regulation. Let it rip. He’s dead wrong,’ Newsom talk. The order, Newsom talk, go speed up implementation of recently enacted California laws wey establish framework for independent organizations to assess AI systems for safety and potential risk.
The order also move up implementation of California’s AI auditor registry and oversight program from January 2029 to December 2027. Newsom acknowledge for him video message say idea of creating so-called ‘kill switch’ for out-of-control AI systems still largely dey in infancy. To explore the concept further, he talk say he go convene panel of experts. A kill switch ‘means a lot of things depending on who you talk to,’ Newsom talk, adding, ‘So we want to flesh out exactly what that means and how to come up with a framework that works.’
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., attempt to introduce federal AI kill switch bill this week, but Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., block the effort. ‘I think it would be crazy to get on the floor one day and regulate an entire industry,’ Paul tell reporters. He argue say passing such legislation go require input from industry leaders.
Trump don generally oppose new AI regulations, arguing say excessive rules fit hamper innovation. He don repeatedly defend data centers, saying dem good for communities wey host them. He also talk say any slowdown in domestic AI development go lead to China outpace the U.S. over time. On Monday, Trump explicitly reject calls from AI executives for federal government to impose new limits on technology. Among those calling for restraining AI na Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI CEO Elon Musk. ‘The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!’ Trump write on Truth Social.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday sign a sweeping executive order designed to accelerate independent oversight of artificial intelligence systems and advance possible creation of emergency AI ‘kill switch,’ positioning California at forefront of growing efforts to regulate rapidly evolving technology. The order come amid mounting concern from researchers, lawmakers and even some AI industry leaders following series of high-profile incidents involving advanced AI systems, including wetin state officials describe as recent ‘Hugging Face attack’ and other reported cases wey AI agents allegedly escape testing environments or carry out unauthorized actions online.
Newsom talk say California no fit afford to wait for federal action. ‘The federal government’s abject failure to create any form of meaningful AI oversight or accountability should alarm every American,’ Newsom talk when he announce the order. The governor dey direct state agencies and outside experts to deliver recommendations within two months on strengthening California’s AI laws, including proposals wey go require independent safety monitors inside frontier AI companies and emergency shutdown capabilities for most powerful models.
The executive order accelerate implementation of two recently signed California laws: SB 813, which establish framework for independent verification organizations wey fit evaluate AI systems for safety risks, and AB 1405, which create standards and registry for AI auditors. Among proposals under review, state officials emphasize say the order no require companies to install kill switch immediately. Instead, experts go study how such safeguard fit work and recommend possible legislative changes.
A kill switch generally described as emergency mechanism wey fit disable or shut down powerful AI model if e behave dangerously, operate outside human control, or pose significant security risks. The concept don gain traction in recent months as concerns about advanced AI capabilities intensify. A USA TODAY Network discussion published this week note growing bipartisan interest in requiring AI companies to maintain emergency shutdown capabilities after reports of concerning AI behavior. The discussion describe kill switch as ability to ‘completely unplug, turn off’ a model if e begin act outside intended limits or attempt to access systems e no suppose control.
The idea notable because Newsom veto SB 1047 in 2024, a bill wey include kill-switch provisions. The governor’s new order effectively reopen debate, though through more targeted regulatory process. Newsom action follow growing chorus of warnings from AI researchers and executives wey argue say governments need stronger guardrails before next-generation systems become more powerful. California officials argue say the state already get nation’s most comprehensive AI regulatory structure and dey urge federal policymakers to use am as roadmap. The state don enact laws covering frontier AI safety, independent audits, child-safety protections for AI companion chatbots, deepfake restrictions, AI-related fraud, privacy protections and cybersecurity standards.
Newsom talk say California approach suppose serve as national baseline as Congress consider whether to enact broader federal regulations. The executive order direct Government Operations Agency and Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to convene experts and return recommendations by mid-November. Those recommendations fit form basis for future legislation or regulatory changes in California.
