THE CRUNCH
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order requiring AI companies to embed independent auditors and a 'kill switch' for their models. The move follows a recent Hugging Face attack and aims to create a national baseline for AI safety. The order demands that an expert panel deliver recommendations within two months, including the direct placement of auditors inside AI labs. Newsom criticised rival,
Donald Trump, for accusing labs of fearmongering, and noted that no federal law currently requires reporting of dangerous AI incidents. He argued that California's existing framework for AI safety, child protection, deepfakes, and data privacy should serve as a model for Congress. The proposal for a 'kill switch' originated from the AI labs themselves as part of a broader call to slow research and development. Additionally, a group of 42 mathematicians has warned about the risks of rapidly evolving advanced AI systems.