California governor calls for 'kill switch' for AI models By LIA ZHU in San Francisco | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:56

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab080c6e4b06d4aa055f1ff.html California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Friday directing state agencies to advance plans for an AI "kill switch" that could shut down advanced AI models during emergencies, following a series of safety and security incidents. The order accelerates the implementation of new third-party oversight of safety and security risks in AI systems, as well as independent audits. It also directs the Government Operations Agency, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, to convene national experts and produce recommendations within two months on ways to strengthen California's AI safety laws.