California Governor Orders Plan to Address AI's Impact on Employment, First in US

California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 21 ordered officials to begin developing a plan to mitigate the disruptive effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment, making California the first state in the U.S. to take such action. Newsom's request comes amid growing global concerns that AI could displace workers across various sectors, from truck drivers to lawyers, as machines learn to perform tasks previously requiring human effort. The executive order will mobilize state agencies, experts, universities, and industry leaders to formulate policies on severance standards, unemployment insurance, and worker training, while also improving the tracking of hiring and layoffs to prevent unexpected disruptions and sudden job cuts. Newsom emphasized that the rapid advancement of AI necessitates a reimagining of the entire employment system.