Newsom Enacts Laws Shielding California Workers From AI Risks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of measures aimed at limiting how employers deploy artificial intelligence, barring the use of biometric data to infer workers’ emotions, prohibiting AI-based firing decisions, and requiring written notice when AI factors into mass layoffs. He coupled the legislation with an executive order directing state agencies to use the term “artificial intelligence,” rebuking former President Donald Trump’s push to adopt “super intelligence,” and criticized the lack of comprehensive federal AI rules. Newsom also approved a tax credit to bolster local news hiring and signaled he may call a special legislative session to pursue additional AI oversight amid mounting industry concern over risks.

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