California Governor Newsom Orders Study of AI 'Kill Switch'
An executive order seeks to increase oversight of artificial intelligence and explore potential shutdown mechanisms.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order aimed at increasing oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) and exploring the possibility of implementing a "kill switch" for the technology if it becomes uncontrollable. The order directs state agencies to recommend legislative changes for enhanced independent reviews of AI and to consider a shutdown function, following recent concerns raised by researchers about the potential for rogue AI systems to cause societal disruption.
This initiative follows previous actions by Newsom this year to address AI and social media. In September, he signed several technology-related bills while expressing concerns about the direction of AI development. However, he faced criticism for vetoing Senate Bill 1047 in 2024, a bill that proposed establishing controls for the technology.