Gov. Gavin Newsom signs California laws to shield workers from AI risks

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Wednesday aimed at protecting workers from the threats posed by artificial intelligence.

The new laws target potential job losses and workplace surveillance linked to AI, and an executive order requires state agencies to refer to the technology as “artificial intelligence” rather than “super intelligence,” a term recently promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Newsom said AI should “expand opportunity — not come at the expense of workers and families,” stressing that the state is putting people at the centre of technological change. He also criticised the federal government for not introducing comprehensive AI regulations, noting industry warnings about the technology’s risks.

Earlier this month, California enacted a law obliging operators of AI chat‑bots to carry out risk assessments before deployment, and the governor’s executive order calls for expert consultation to improve industry oversight. Newsom hinted that further legislative action could be required in the absence of federal leadership.

The signing took place on Newsom’s final day to approve or veto bills before his term ends in January, weeks before the U.S. mid‑term elections.

Source: ABC News. Photo: Tom Schönmann / Pexels.