By Alexei Oreskovic
Publication Date: 2026-03-31 10:16:00
Good morning. Artificial intelligence is turning into a major front in the ongoing battle between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
On Monday, Newsom signed an executive order requiring certain guidelines for AI companies doing business with California. The order calls for California to vet AI companies based on their policies ensuring that their models don’t display bias, violate civil rights or free speech, or contribute to the distribution of illegal content such as child sexual abuse material.
Just over a week ago, the Trump administration floated a framework for a federal AI policy that seeks to supersede state AI laws so as to prevent what it calls a “patchwork of conflicting state laws.” And in December, Trump even instructed the Justice Department to sue states which pass their own AI laws. Newsom’s order involves only companies that contract with the state of California, so it may not directly contravene Trump’s efforts to…