Newsom Signs Legislation Protecting Workers From AI

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday intended to protect workers from the threats of artificial intelligence, including potential job losses and workplace surveillance. The laws prohibit 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 keep employers from relying on AI to decide to fire someone. The Democrat also signed an executive order to require state agencies to continue to refer to the technology as "artificial intelligence," the AP reports.

"AI should expand opportunity—not come at the expense of workers and families," Newsom said in a statement. In addition, the measures target false AI-made images, including explicit content created without a person's consent, per KRCR. Newsom sharply criticized Trump at an event with reporters Wednesday for not enacting comprehensive federal AI regulations at a time when industry leaders are warning about the technology's risks, per the AP. Trump said Tuesday that top tech leaders signed a voluntary accord to enact "self-policing" of AI development. "We have to do a lot more in the absence of federal leadership," Newsom said.