Newsom and Pritzker address AI safety as federal action remains stalled
Axios · September 18, 2026Original source ↗

What happened
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order focused on AI safety, directing attention to issues such as independent audits and kill switches. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker highlighted his own initiatives related to AI regulation, amidst a lack of federal legislation on the matter.
Why it matters
This development reflects the increasing urgency for state-level regulation as the federal government has not taken substantial action on AI safety.
How this story affects people
How does this story affect you if you are concerned about the safety of AI technologies?
New regulations from state leaders like Newsom and Pritzker could lead to more robust safety measures, such as independent audits and kill switches, that directly impact how AI is developed and deployed. This could enhance protections for consumers and businesses relying on AI systems.
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