Gavin Newsom seeks ‘kill switch’ for AI in new executive order

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order intended to increase oversight of AI and potentially require a “kill switch” if the technology gets out of control, his office said Friday.

Newsom’s executive order asks state agencies to, among other things, recommend legislative changes to enhance independent reviews of the technology and consider a shut-off function after researchers raised alarms this month about the potential of rogue agents to wreak havoc on society.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a rally for Democratic candidates Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Monroe, N.C. AP Photo/Nell Redmond

The executive order follows prior actions from Newsom this year in an attempt to rein in AI and social media.


People at a "PauseAI" protest holding placards that read "PAUSE AI IS RISK IS TOO HIGH", "INTERNATIONAL TREATY OR BUST", and "DON'T LET AI DECIDE OUR FUTURE".
People hold placards during an emergency protest by civic action group PauseAI UK outside Downing Street in central London, Wednesday, September 16, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

In September, he signed a slew of technology-related bills while voicing worries about the trajectory of AI development, though he’s faced criticism for his veto of Senate Bill 1047, which sought to add controls to the technology, in 2024.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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