California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on September 18, 2026, directing an expert panel to recommend enhanced AI safety laws within two months. The order pushes for a mandatory emergency "kill switch" and independent onsite audits for frontier AI models. Newsom positioned the move as a response to federal inaction, criticizing President Donald Trump's opposition to AI regulations and Congressional gridlock ahead of the 2026 midterms. The order also accelerates the implementation of California's existing AI safety laws, SB 813 and AB 1405.
Newsom AI executive order
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order, signed on September 18, 2026, directs a group of experts to deliver recommendations and a safety guide to the state within two months
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom positioned the executive order he signed on September 18, 2026 as a model for federal action, calling on Congress and President Donald Trump to adopt California's framework
- ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on September 18, 2026, aimed at strengthening artificial intelligence safety and security laws
AI kill switch requirement
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order, signed on September 18, 2026, directs experts to consider mandating a "kill switch" that would allow frontier artificial intelligence models to be shut down in an emergency
- ▪LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman expressed support for an artificial intelligence kill switch mandate during a Politico event
- ▪Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated that while an artificial intelligence kill switch could be a good idea, it is not a panacea for safety risks
Independent auditor mandates
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order, signed on September 18, 2026, directs experts to consider requiring frontier artificial intelligence companies to embed independent verification groups onsite for regular audits
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order, signed on September 18, 2026, proposes requiring independent third parties to write safety plans for frontier artificial intelligence companies
Trump opposition to regulation
- ▪President Donald Trump asserted that the only control or guardrails artificial intelligence needs is a strong and smart president
- ▪President Donald Trump has resisted calls for artificial intelligence regulation, calling safety fears a hoax and arguing that the United States must beat China in the technology race
Debatable claims
- ▪The United States should prioritize AI competitiveness over AI regulation
- ▪Frontier AI companies should be required to host independent onsite auditors
- ▪California should mandate an emergency kill switch for frontier AI models
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