California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Friday to implement guardrails and increase oversight of artificial intelligence. The move comes as the state serves as the epicenter of the technology's boom and discussions about AI risk have expanded from Silicon Valley circles into public view. Newsom stated that action was necessary to increase safety measures before it is too late.
The order seeks to speed up the creation of third-party oversight and will convene experts to consider possible AI-oversight policies. State agencies have been directed to develop recommendations on safety measures, including the possibility of requiring companies to build a kill switch to halt a system if it malfunctions or goes off the rails. Agencies must report on the feasibility of such a switch by November 16.
Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, stated that he acted because the federal government has not done enough to regulate AI. He and other 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls have called for a more aggressive approach to addressing AI fears.