Newsom orders AI "kill switch" push by California

California has already passed laws covering AI safety, child protection, deepfakes, data privacy, and cybersecurity, and Newsom says the new executive order fits that pattern. He sharply criticized his rival Donald Trump, who had accused the labs of fearmongering, and he pointed out that no federal law requires AI companies to report dangerous incidents. The order is also notable because the idea of embedding independent auditors directly inside labs already came from the AI labs themselves, as part of a broader call to slow research and development. Newsom is calling on Congress to adopt California's framework as a national baseline, which raises the question of whether a state-level push can shape federal policy. Beyond the labs, a group of 42 mathematicians has warned about the risks of advanced AI systems that could evolve rapidly in the near future. The executive order's practical effect is likely to hinge on the expert panel's recommendations, due in two months, and on whether the labs cooperate with auditors placed inside their operations. For California lawmakers, the order provides a concrete list of measures they can point to when pressing for national rules.