Stanislaus County, CA, USA; California Governor Gavin Newsom (C), and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) meet with NorCal Carpenters Union workers along the construction of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the future site of Proxima Solar Farm in Stanislaus County, California, USA, 19 May 2023. The Governor unveiled legislation to speed up construction for a streamlined process and to expedite court review on legal challenges that often tie up projects. The project is expected to create 300 construction jobs and generate $35 million in local revenue. The project is expected to be operational by December, could power 60,000 homes in the surrounding region and can generate up to 210 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and 177 megawatts of better energy storage. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sacramento, California – In a move to solidify California’s role at the forefront of artificial intelligence governance, Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday released a new policy roadmap developed by a team of leading AI researchers and academics. The California Report on Frontier AI Policy outlines a framework for ethical and science-based oversight of AI systems, particularly generative AI, while doubling down on the state’s commitment to innovation and public safety.
The report arrives at a moment of tension between federal and state priorities. As former President Donald Trump’s allies push a federal budget bill that would impose a ten-year ban on state-level AI protections—including California laws that prohibit AI-generated child pornography, scam robocalls targeting the elderly, and deepfake content—the Newsom administration is signaling it won’t back down.
The state’s new policy blueprint draws on the expertise of top minds in the field, including Dr. Fei-Fei Li of Stanford University and Dr. Jennifer Tour Chayes of UC Berkeley. The authors emphasize the need for empirical, evidence-based policymaking that can adapt to the rapid pace of AI advancement while maintaining guardrails that protect Californians from misuse. Their recommendations also highlight transparency, security, and the nuanced challenges of regulating a fast-moving industry.
California, home to 32 of the world’s top 50 AI companies, is uniquely positioned to influence the trajectory of AI both nationally and globally. In recent years, the state has invested in initiatives that both encourage innovation and seek to address the risks posed by unchecked AI development. In 2023, Newsom signed an executive order establishing a measured approach to state procurement of generative AI systems, with current projects aimed at easing highway congestion and improving customer service in state agencies.
Public participation played a central role in the drafting of the final report, which reflects feedback received after a draft was released in March. The result is a framework that could serve not only California legislators, but policymakers across the country seeking to balance innovation with accountability.
In 2024, California entered into a collaboration with NVIDIA to train students and workers in AI skills and promote job growth in the sector. This initiative reflects a broader strategy: use AI to solve practical problems—such as infrastructure bottlenecks and workforce training—while remaining vigilant against emerging threats.
Last year, Newsom signed a series of laws targeting the misuse of AI in pornography, election interference, and digital impersonation. As Washington debates rolling back those protections, California appears determined to draw a line: innovation, yes—but not at the expense of safety, dignity, or democratic stability.
