File photo of Gov. Gavin Newsom, clicked in Palo Alto on Jan. 26, 2022. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to study the development, use and risks of artificial intelligence in California and within state government while educating the public about the technology.
Under the executive order signed Wednesday, Sept. 6, state agencies and departments are mandated to analyze potential threats to California’s energy infrastructure through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), Newsom’s office said.
State agencies will issue general guidelines for the public’s use, procurement and training on GenAI based on the executive order, which also requires state departments to make a report on uses of GenAI, as well as potential harms and risks for communities, governments and state government workers in California.
According to Newsom’s office, state agencies will train state government workers to use GenAI technology approved by California.
The executive order also pushes for partnerships with University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University to study how California will advance further as the world’s AI leader. The directive also encourages the state’s engagement with legislative partners and key stakeholders to develop policies on AI deployment.
