EFF Statement on California Governor's Executive Order on AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order is an opportunity for a needed, thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence and its potential harms. Everyday Californians are feeling real anxiety about the risks of artificial intelligence, and as an organization that works to ensure technology empowers people, EFF welcomes this order as a way for the state of California to lead a…
California Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order on artificial intelligence presents a valuable opportunity for a necessary and thoughtful discussion about the potential harms of AI technology. As Everyday Californians grapple with genuine anxiety over the risks associated with AI, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is pleased to see the state taking a proactive role in addressing these concerns.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the most pressing issues with AI are not speculative scenarios involving rogue super-intelligence, but rather the real-world problems stemming from biased algorithmic decision-making in employment or government benefits, AI-driven surveillance systems like Flock cameras, and artificially inflated personalized pricing. Californians are seeking action from state and federal leaders, and we implore Governor Newsom to craft thoughtful policies to tackle these pressing issues.
The executive order marks a positive beginning, with a focus on expanding reporting requirements under SB 53 (2025) for loss-of-control incidents, and third-party investigations. EFF urges the administration to ensure that these investigations are accessible to smaller developers. Furthermore, as the Government Operations Agency prepares its recommendations for the governor, it is imperative to consider the effectiveness of kill switches in advanced AI systems.
While actively researched, the real-world implications of such measures remain uncertain. Therefore, any technology regulation targeting cybersecurity practices at AI labs must be carefully crafted, precise, and practical.
Lastly, EFF cautions against the potential misuse of government-controlled kill switches as a tool for retaliatory actions against protected speech. A prime example is the Trump Administration's retaliatory actions against Anthropic earlier this year. Ultimately, California must prioritize concrete, immediate, and urgent AI-related harms by ensuring that algorithmic decision-making in both the government and private sectors respects people's rights and well-being.
The state should collaborate with those most at risk of harm to develop thoughtful policies addressing these concerns comprehensively.
Written by urgent.news from EFF Deeplinks's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
