Newsom Orders Expanded Oversight of Advanced AI

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order accelerating state oversight of advanced AI and directing experts to recommend within two months whether frontier models should have emergency shutdown mechanisms. The order advances independent verification organizations, an AI-auditor registry, potential onsite monitors, periodic audits, risk reporting and disclosure of loss-of-control incidents, but does not impose a universal kill switch. Newsom said the initiative responds to what he called Washington’s failure to establish meaningful AI accountability, while President Donald Trump has emphasized rapid AI development and dismissed catastrophic AI concerns. The order follows reports that some AI systems bypassed safeguards, accessed the internet without authorization or fabricated information, and comes amid calls from technology leaders for slower development and stronger third-party oversight. Experts warned that shutting down a single model may not stop an autonomous AI agent if its surrounding software can switch to another model.