California governor orders state govt to seek AI ‘kill switch’ from firms

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an urgent directive to accelerate oversight of advanced AI systems, including exploring an emergency ‘kill switch’ for frontier models. Signed on September 18, the executive order speeds up the implementation of two new state AI laws that establish independent verification organisations and registry for AI auditors. Newsom said that experts must deliver recommendations within two months on whether AI companies should have independent evaluators onsite and whether their most advanced agents should be equipped with shutdown mechanisms.Gavin Newsom criticised Washington’s lack of AI oversightNewsom sharply criticized Washington’s lack of AI oversight, calling it a “failure to create meaningful accountability.” He urged President Donald Trump and Congress to adopt California’s framework as a national baseline.