Newsom Signs Executive Order to Strengthen AI Safeguards, Clashing with Federal Policy
Order aims to curb bias, rights violations, and misuse in state AI contracts.
March 31, 2026 – California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday to tighten oversight of artificial intelligence companies contracting with the state, implementing stricter safeguards even as the federal government moves to preempt state oversight.
“California leads in AI, and we’re going to use every tool we have to ensure companies protect people’s rights, not exploit them or put them in harm’s way,” Newsom said in a statement Monday accompanying the order. “While others in Washington are designing policy and creating contracts in the shadow of misuse, we’re focused on doing this the right way.”
The order requires companies seeking state government contracts to demonstrate how their AI systems mitigate risks such as bias, the violation of civil rights and free speech, and the spread of illegal or exploitative content.
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