Today January 25, 2026, 02:00 PM
Today January 25, 2026, 02:00 PM
With the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence, policy makers in California and other states are rushing to address the technologyâs potential downsides by reaching into their usual toolbox of regulation. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed one relatively modest law last year, but vetoed a far-reaching measure with nebulous language that could have hobbled an industry thatâs become a leading source of state revenue.
The Trump administration is taking the right tack by pushing a federal approach that doesnât stifle innovation. This is a nationwide technology, so itâs unreasonable to expect the industry to adhere to 50 differing standards. Californiaâs Legislature is back in session, so expect more AI bills to move forward â and our stateâs laws have an outsized influence on all matters tech-related.
This being California, it was only a matter of time before someone tried their hand at the ballot box. As CalMatters reported, Common Sense Media had introduced an initiative similar to the bill Newsom vetoed. The creator of ChatGPT, OpenAI, had proposed a narrower measure. Theyâve agreed to gather signatures for one compromise initiative, the publication noted.
Imagine designing a system that conforms to that gibberish, or the ensuing court battles. AI is so complex that even its designers donât fully understand how it works. One lawmaker quoted by the CalMatters rightly argues itâs problematic to lock regulations into the state Constitution, which require a vote of the people to update. Thatâs the best rebuttal to this measure because AI systems are advancing rapidly.
Weâre fans of lawmaking thatâs closer to the people, but in this case it may be better to have a national standard that can more easily change with the times.
