Newsom Tells California Government to Deepen, Guide Use of AI
In a bold move to shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI), California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to study the development, use, and risks of AI technology throughout the state. This marks a significant step towards understanding how to govern AI, as California aims to lead the world in ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI.
California is the most populous state in the US. If they enact legislation, it will likely have global impact on AI. There are multiple privacy laws that digital businesses have to pay attention to at the service a global community, the biggest of which are GDPR (which applies to Europe) and CCPA, which applies to California. If you are servicing those customers, there are disclosure that have to be baked into your product. If California creates an additional act over AI, it will have a ripple effect across the global AI community.
The executive order mandates state agencies and departments to analyze potential threats to California's energy infrastructure through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). It also pushes for potential partnerships with the University of California, Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science, and Society, and Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. State Senator Bill Dodd, who authored an AI-drafted resolution adopted by the California Legislature in August, welcomed the governor's executive order, emphasizing the importance of California's leadership in responsible AI use
He stated, "I look forward to working with the governor to ensure California leads the nation -- and the world -- on leveraging the benefits of AI while putting in strong safeguards that protect our rights". Newsom's order includes directives to state agencies and departments to perform a joint analysis on the risk AI poses to California's energy infrastructure, issue guidelines for public sector procurement of GenAI based on White House and National Institute for Standards and Technology-issued guidelines, provide AI training for state government workers, and develop a framework to analyze GenAI's impact on vulnerable communities.
The governor's cautious approach to AI regulation is evident in his previous statements, where he emphasized the importance of understanding the technology before asserting political influence. By signing this executive order, Newsom has set the stage for potential regulation around generative AI technology, which has already raised concerns about misinformation, plagiarism, bias, and child safety.
As California continues to be a global leader in education, innovation, research, development, talent, entrepreneurship, and new technologies, this executive order demonstrates the state's commitment to leading the world in technological progress while ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AI.
