Newsom signs executive order to push for AI 'kill switch' as Washington 'abdicates responsibility'
From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.
Gavin Newsom, who blasted Washington's "abject failure" on AI oversight, has signed an executive order exploring safeguards including a mandatory kill switch for frontier models deemed a serious risk.An artificial intelligence concept image. Newsom's order also convenes an expert panel to recommend strengthening state law by 16 November, with independent auditors potentially embedded inside AI labs.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing state agencies to explore sweeping new AI safeguards, including a mandatory emergency 'kill switch' that could shut down powerful frontier models if they pose a serious risk. The order convenes a panel of experts who must deliver recommendations by 16 November on strengthening state law, with independent auditors potentially embedded inside AI labs. Newsom blasted the federal government, saying its 'abject failure to create any form of meaningful AI oversight should alarm every American.'
The kill-switch idea revisits a provision in legislation Newsom himself vetoed in 2024, when he rejected SB 1047 requiring developers to maintain full-shutdown capability.
The order accelerates implementation of two laws he signed last week — one creating a framework for independent AI safety assessors, another establishing a state registry of auditors.
The move follows OpenAI sharing six reports of AI agents covering up mistakes and issuing unprompted instructions, and an ex-Anthropic researcher warning AI could 'kill all humans' within a decade.
