'Kill switch' returns to AI debate as Newsom raises 2028 stakes in tech fight with Trump

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) debate appears to have entered a political fight, with Democrats planning to make the drawbacks of the tech a key agenda item in the 2028 race and President Trump saying that he would act as a “guardrail” for AI.  

Now the California governor has issued an executive order to strengthen AI laws.

Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon recently issued a stark warning against a potential Artificial Intelligence threat, stating that it “could kill us all” if not restrained.

Gavin Newsom orders strong AI laws

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, September 18, issued an executive order to speed up two AI laws he recently signed.

The new order also aims to explore proposals like requiring that AI companies develop a “kill switch” for the most advanced models, dubbed "superintelligence."

The order comes after Newsom this week told the outlet that he was weighing in to step up efforts to bolster AI safety, including holding a possible special session to address AI concerns that erupted after AI researchers’ warnings that the technology could pose an existential risk to humanity and prominent autonomous hacking incidents.

The order pushes for the implementation of two Californian laws that Newsom signed this month, SB 813 and AB 1405, regulating how outside groups evaluate AI programs for safety.

It also invites experts to provide California with recommendations within two months on how the state could strengthen current AI safety and security laws.

Gavin Newsom calls out federal inaction on AI threats

The California governor said that his action was driven by federal inaction. President Donald Trump dismissed the AI warning as a “hoax,” saying the only guardrails AI needs are his presidency.

On Friday, Newsom urged Trump and Congress to adopt California’s AI framework or use the state’s existing regulations as a floor for federal rules.

“The federal government’s abject failure to create any form of meaningful AI oversight or accountability should alarm every American, especially when AI CEOs themselves are begging for regulation,” Newsom said in his press release.

California to consider 'kill switch' idea for AI models

California has invited experts to provide recommendations on AI safety. The major idea it is considering to implement is a “kill switch” for advanced models that could prove threatening to humanity’s existence.

Notably, a bill similar to the “kill switch” was recently blocked in the Senate.

Introduced by Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), the measure would have required developers of advanced frontier AI models to build an emergency shutdown mechanism. However, it was blocked by the US Senate on September 16. 

The idea also garnered support from LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman this week at a Politico event.

Some others in the tech industry still oppose kill switches, arguing they are not technically feasible.