THE CRUNCH
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order positioning the state to take the lead on AI oversight. The directive requires state experts to deliver recommendations within two months on how to strengthen AI safety measures in state law. A key proposal under consideration is the potential to mandate a 'kill switch' for frontier models, alongside requirements for independent verification groups and a
The order instructs the state to convene a group of experts to examine how to embed independent verification groups onsite for regular audits. It also seeks to make companies' transparency reports and risk assessments subject to independent auditor standards. These measures aim to provide a formal mechanism for halting AI systems that pose significant risks, a concept that has been discussed in industry circles but is now moving toward formal state policy.
Newsom's move follows a pattern of state-level intervention in technology safety. In 2026, California regulators moved to ban the use of AI-generated deepfakes in political advertising, marking a significant step in election integrity efforts. This latest order extends that regulatory focus to the underlying models themselves, rather than just their outputs.