Governor Gavin Newsom signed laws Wednesday aimed at protecting California workers from the threats of artificial intelligence , including potential job losses and workplace surveillance. The laws ban employers from using the technology to predict a worker’s emotional state by using their biometric data, require employers to send written notices to workers if AI is responsible for mass layoffs and ban employers from relying on AI to decide to fire someone. The Democratic governor also signed an executive order to require state agencies to continue to refer to the technology as “artificial intelligence” instead of the term “super intelligence” as Donald Trump recently ordered US diplomats to use.
Trump said Tuesday that top tech leaders signed a voluntary accord to “self-police” AI development. The governor signed a law this month requiring operators of AI chatbots to perform risk assessments before rolling them out and an executive order requiring the state to consult with experts to further improve oversight over the industry. The news conference came on Newsom’s last day to sign or veto bills before he terms out in January.
He started the event by signing a law creating a tax credit program aimed at helping local news organizations – including newspapers, digital outlets and TV stations – hire and retain journalists. Newsom criticized what he called Trump’s assault on a free press, pointing to the president’s barring of news organizations from the White House. Newsom also spoke about the upcoming midterms, which will decide control of Congress.
He involved himself early in that fight by leading Democrats last year in a redistricting battle to improve their chances of winning more House seats. He’s said repeatedly that the stakes are high if his party doesn’t succeed in November. Asked if he had set a deadline for himself to decide to run for president in 2028, Newsom hedged, saying: “That moment will arrive when it arrives.” Former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who, like Newsom, hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, has also said she’s considering running for the job in 2028.
Newsom told CNN recently that he would not run for president if she entered the race. He said the two have not spoken since that interview aired. Newsom weighed in on a proposal to temporarily raise taxes on billionaires that will be on the ballot in November, which he’s consistently opposed.
He said he respects supporters of the measure, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who are committed to addressing income inequality in the country.
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