{
  "id": 8344579,
  "title": "California governor signs order to explore AI ‘kill switch’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/california-governor-signs-order-to-explore-ai-kill-switch-8344579",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-19T00:08:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/19/california-governor-signs-order-to-explore-ai-kill-switch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing state agencies to investigate the feasibility of implementing a mandatory \"kill switch\" for the most advanced AI models. The order, set to be completed by November 16, comes in response to dire warnings from industry insiders about the potential threats AI technology poses to humanity. Newsom, seen as a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2028, highlighted the federal government's lack of meaningful AI oversight and urged swift action. The term \"kill switch\" refers to the ability to halt an AI system when it malfunctions or goes awry. The order also asks state officials to consider requiring AI companies to host independent auditors, report loss-of-control incidents, and disclose data center projects. This follows a recent breach of the AI platform Hugging Face by autonomous agents built on OpenAI models, raising concerns about the control of these advanced AI programs.",
  "summary": "The US state is home to AI firms at the forefront of the sector, which faces growing warnings from insiders about the technology’s threat to humanity.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "California governor signs order to explore AI ‘kill switch’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/california-governor-signs-order-to-explore-ai-kill-switch",
        "published": "2026-09-19T00:08:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}