Despite Executive Order, California Lawmakers Push to Regulate AI

California lawmakers say they’re not deterred by a new executive order that would threaten state’s abilities to regulate artificial intelligence. “Setting safety guardrails on products has been a core pillar of state law for decades, and it’s absurd for [President] Trump to think he can weaponize the Department of Justice and Commerce to undermine those state rights,” said Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). Sen Wiener previously said he believed his comprehensive SB 53 could be targeted by the president’s new “AI Litigation Task Force.” “If the Trump Administration tries to enforce this ridiculous order, we will see them in court.” Sen Wiener led the charge of 20 California lawmakers who sent a letter before the executive order was signed, asking their congressional counterparts to push back against preemption or other efforts to limit the state’s flexibility. The letter also offers California’s assistance in developing AI legislation on the federal level.