California Is Getting its ‘AI Act’ Together

While Washington remains gridlocked on technology policy, California is charting its own course. Earlier this week, Governor Newsom signed critically important AI legislation on transparency and protecting children. In Silicon Valley’s home state, legislators this year have shown that progress — albeit incremental in the face of furious opposition from some in the tech industry — is still possible. But it’s not time for a victory lap yet—there’s still more work ahead in 2026.

In an ideal world, Congress would establish a strong national framework to balance innovation with accountability. But federal inaction — plus misguided efforts in Washington to override state laws that protect platform users — has left that vision out of reach.

California’s intervention isn’t defiance; it’s necessity. Our state’s residents and our democracy cannot wait for a federal standard that may never come. When inaction leaves people – especially kids – vulnerable to deepfakes, data exploitation, scams, and algorithmic discrimination, state leadership must fill the void.

This year, Sacramento took a number of important steps toward doing just that. While none of these laws are a panacea, together they demonstrate that democratic institutions can still reasonably govern technology in the public interest without impeding the nation’s innovation leadership.