California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of laws designed to protect workers from potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The legislation, enacted on Wednesday in Sacramento, addresses concerns including job displacement, workplace surveillance, and the use of AI in employment decisions.
Among the new measures is a prohibition on employers using AI to predict employees’ emotional states through biometric data. Employers are also now required to provide written notification to workers if AI technology is used as the basis for mass layoffs. Additionally, the laws forbid companies from relying solely on AI systems to make firing decisions.
In conjunction with the legislation, Newsom issued an executive order instructing state agencies to continue referring to the technology as “artificial intelligence,” rejecting President Donald Trump’s recent directive that US diplomats use the term “super intelligence.” The governor emphasized that AI should create opportunities rather than jeopardize workers’ livelihoods.
“At a time when this technology is fundamentally reshaping the workplace, California is putting people at the center,” Newsom stated. He criticized the federal government for not implementing comprehensive AI regulations despite warnings from industry leaders about the technology’s risks. Trump, in contrast, recently announced that prominent technology executives had agreed to a voluntary commitment to police AI development themselves.
Newsom’s office also announced a law requiring operators of AI chatbots in the state to conduct risk assessments prior to their deployment. The executive order further instructs state authorities to consult with experts to enhance oversight of AI technology in the future. Highlighting the absence of strong federal leadership, Newsom indicated that additional legislative action could be pursued through a special session of the state legislature.
The announcements came on the governor’s final day to sign or veto bills before his current term concludes in January. During the event, Newsom also signed a law establishing a tax credit program to help local news organizations hire and retain journalists. He criticized Trump’s treatment of the press, noting the president’s exclusion of certain news outlets from the White House.
The new measures position California as a leading jurisdiction in regulating AI’s role in employment, reflecting growing concerns over the societal impact of emerging technologies amid limited federal regulatory frameworks.