2028 Democrats like Newsom and Pritzker lean in on AI safety as Washington stalls

California's Governor Gavin Newsom is stepping up his efforts on artificial intelligence safety as the federal government remains largely inactive, according to recent reports. As a potential 2028 presidential candidate, Newsom has released an executive order addressing two major issues in the AI debate: independent auditors and kill switches. In his words, "With Donald Trump and Congress asleep at the wheel, Governor Gavin Newsom is once again taking the lead to strengthen AI safety for all Americans."

This comes at a time when many states have taken it upon themselves to regulate AI due to the lack of progress at the federal level. More than 600 bills related to AI are currently in 47 states, a 24% increase from the previous year. California, Illinois, and Massachusetts, all led by Democrats, are at the forefront of this movement. These states are not only implementing their own regulations but also trying to position themselves as national leaders in AI oversight.

Newsom's executive order is a direct response to the political climate, which has seen some politicians using fear of data centers to target their opponents. The executive order aligns with the stance of frontier AI labs, which are developing their own kill switches and verification organizations. Similar to Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Illinois Governor J.B.

Pritzker, both presidential contenders, have also called for caution in AI development. Pritzker's bill requires companies to develop their own safety frameworks, with an annual report from an independent third party to ensure compliance.