California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an AI executive order this week while state legislators advance multiple AI bills, escalating the state's push to regulate artificial intelligence across various fronts. The move comes as the Trump administration pushes for a national AI standard that would preempt nearly all state-level AI laws.
California's approach follows a familiar pattern where the state acts first on tech regulation, companies adapt to maintain business operations there, and Congress eventually cedes regulatory authority to states due to federal gridlock. The state's multi-pronged strategy makes it likely that AI companies will treat California's rules as a de facto national standard.