California has enacted new legislation to protect workers from AI-powered layoffs and surveillance, governor Gavin Newsom announced. The new laws are mostly aimed at companies using AI to initiate job cuts or monitor employees, not about harnessing the tech to replace workers. However, it's some of the first legislation in the nation that gives employees rights about how AI can be deployed in the workplace. "AI should expand opportunity -- not come at the expense of workers and families," said Newsom in a statement. "As this technology reshapes the workplace, California is putting people at the center."

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. "AI should expand opportunity - not come at the expense of workers and families," Newsom said in a statement. "As this technology reshapes the workplace, California is putting people at the center."

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. An election worker puts ballots in a counting machine at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center on June 3 in City of Industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bills to protect California's elections process from interference and increase transparency in campaigns. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

With AI models from major companies all recently breaking out of their constraints, California's governor proposed creating a "kill switch" as part of a comprehensive solution. In an executive order signed by Gavin Newsom on Friday, California will convene national experts to create new recommendations for AI safety during a two-month time frame. "We're going to speed up our work on substantial and responsible AI oversight before it's too late," Newsom said in a press release. "We're going to do this thoughtfully but with urgent velocity; the stakes are too high to wait or delay action." The panel of experts will be tasked with submitting recommendations to Newsom's office, which would then update state laws surrounding AI safety.

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Versus Say More Look Up Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Mashable Selects Creator Playbook In My Bag Trending Now Back to School Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Switch Off Mashable Voices All Series Is an AI'kill switch' a real thing? Newsom's new executive order pushes for an AI kill switch. Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. Calls for AI regulation gain momentum as the industry itself urges a slow down. As concerns about AI's capabilities reach a critical mass, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is accelerating the state's plan to curb the development of the technology.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Newsom creates panel on AI safety regulation, suggests possible'kill switch' California Gov. Gavin Newsom created a panel to develop safety regulations for artificial intelligence companies. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search.

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Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Gavin Newsom is a lame duck. Can his presidential hopes still take flight? Once he leaves office, Gov. Gavin Newsom will be free to devote his full energies to a prospective presidential campaign. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Mashable Selects Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Creator Playbook Look Up Back to School Say More Trending Now Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Switch Off Mashable Voices Safety Net Versus All Series Did California just ban social media for teens? The nation's most populous state passed Adam's Law to regulate chatbot harm. Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. California's new child safety laws are official, mandating tech companies build for teens. California governor Gavin Newsom's signature is now on a slew of new tech laws, including a dozen new state bills that target social media and AI giants.