California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing the state to accelerate independent oversight of frontier AI companies and advance development of an AI ‘kill switch,’ an emergency shutoff mechanism for advanced AI systems. The order convenes experts to deliver recommendations within two months, including a requirement for independent third-party audits of frontier AI developers. It builds on SB 813 and AB 1405, legislation Newsom signed days earlier establishing a framework for independent verification of AI systems.
