Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered California agencies and departments under his authority to keep using the terms “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI,” regardless of any rebranded or different terminology the federal government uses.
Executive Order N-10-26, dated Sept. 30, took effect immediately. The directive applies unless that usage would be inconsistent with the law. Newsom shared the signed order in a post on X.
The order does not name the federal terminology it refers to.
In its opening clauses, the order describes California as dominating AI innovation. It also says no state has taken more aggressive action to strengthen AI safety, security and consumer privacy.
The order’s second clause frames the dispute as one over naming. It argues that changing something’s name cannot distract a person “of normal intelligence” from what the order calls an “impotent and craven failure” to address well-documented emerging security and safety risks from that technology.
Newsom wrote that he issued the order under authority granted by the state Constitution and state statutes, “further informed by common sense.”
The order states that it does not create any rights or benefits enforceable against the state, its agencies or employees, or any other person.
It directs that the order be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State as soon as possible and that it receive widespread publicity. The document includes an attestation line for Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber.
