Newsom Issues AI Safety Executive Order, Says He's Racing the Clock 'Before It's Too Late'
With his term ending in January, California's governor is moving to lock in new artificial intelligence guardrails through an executive order — and hasn't ruled out calling a special legislative session.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday aimed at tightening the state's guardrails around artificial intelligence, saying he wants to act "before it's too late" on a technology he has warned is advancing faster than regulators can keep up, according to CNBC.
The order directs a team of experts to develop recommendations for strengthening California's existing AI safety laws, building on legislation Newsom has both signed and, in at least one high-profile case, vetoed over the past two years.
More Action Could Be Coming
Newsom told Politico earlier this week that his administration is weighing additional steps beyond Friday's order, including the possibility of calling a special legislative session devoted specifically to AI guardrails, further executive action, or new rules issued directly by state agencies under their existing authority. "We're looking to see what we can do in the next few weeks — days, weeks, and months," Newsom said, according to a Yahoo News report on the Politico interview.
"BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE."
The governor's term ends in January, giving him a limited window to lock in policy before handing the office to a successor. California has positioned itself as a national leader on AI regulation, home to many of the industry's largest developers, and Newsom's moves are likely to influence how other states — and Congress — approach the issue in the months ahead.
Friday's order does not itself create new binding rules; instead, it sets in motion the expert review process that could shape legislation or further executive action later this year. Industry groups have pushed back on aggressive state-level AI regulation, arguing it risks a patchwork of conflicting rules across the country, while safety advocates have urged Newsom to move faster.
What's next: the expert panel convened under Friday's order is expected to deliver recommendations within weeks, setting up a decision point for Newsom on whether to pursue a special session or additional executive action before he leaves office.