By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom released a report June 17 outlining California’s strategy for the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence, even as President Donald Trump backs a federal bill that would block states from enforcing key AI-related laws.
The report, The California Report on Frontier AI Policy, was developed by top experts including Stanford’s Dr. Fei-Fei Li, UC Berkeley’s Dr. Jennifer Tour Chayes, and Carnegie Endowment’s Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar. It offers a science-based framework for how California and other states can responsibly regulate AI, specifically generative AI, as it evolves.
“California is the home of innovation and technology that is driving the nation’s economic growth — including the emerging AI industry,” said Newsom. “As Donald Trump chooses to take our nation back to the past by dismantling laws protecting public safety, California will continue to lead the way with smart and effective policymaking.”
The report comes as Trump promotes a 10-year moratorium on state laws governing AI, including California’s bans on AI-generated child pornography, deepfake porn, and AI robocall scams targeting seniors.
Newsom convened the expert panel last fall to evaluate the risks and benefits of AI and suggest workable, evidence-based policies. Public input gathered earlier this year shaped the final report.
California already leads the AI industry, home to 32 of the world’s top 50 AI companies. Recent state efforts include partnerships with companies like NVIDIA to train students and workers and to use GenAI in state agencies to ease traffic congestion and improve services.
In 2023 and 2024, Newsom also signed laws targeting deepfake election content, AI scams, and digital likeness protections for performers.
