Few AI regulations exist, raising concerns among experts regarding the need for stronger oversight and governance in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
During a recent summit hosted by Politico in Sacramento, California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra remarked on the state of artificial intelligence regulations, asserting that California lacks sufficient oversight in this area. His comments, however, appear to overlook the significant number of laws already enacted in California pertaining to artificial intelligence. In fact, the state has established more AI-specific statutes than any other in the nation, with numerous new laws introduced in the past two years alone.
Contrary to Becerra’s assertion, California has not been devoid of regulation concerning emerging technologies. As attorney general, Becerra would have been aware that federal agencies, including those under the Biden Administration, affirmed in a joint statement released in April 2023 that existing laws addressing discrimination and fraud extend to automated systems. Thus, employers utilizing AI tools in hiring, which violate anti-discrimination laws, are subject to the same legal liabilities as traditional hiring practices.
State attorneys general have echoed this sentiment. For instance, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong recently highlighted that his state’s consumer protection, privacy, and anti-discrimination regulations are applicable to AI systems. Rob Bonta, Becerra’s successor in California, has also clarified through legal advisories how the state’s laws apply to artificial intelligence technologies.
In addition, California has taken significant steps to regulate AI directly. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted nearly twenty new laws specifically addressing AI, followed by further legislation in 2025 that includes the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act and enhanced safeguards for chatbots. The California Privacy Protection Agency has also established new regulations concerning automated decision-making technologies, reinforcing the regulatory framework surrounding AI in the state.
The California landscape for AI oversight continues to evolve, with an announcement of two dozen additional AI bills currently awaiting votes before the upcoming deadline. However, critics argue that the resulting patchwork of regulations may disproportionately impact startups, creating barriers to entry in comparison to established corporations.
Moreover, as California pursues a seemingly cautious approach to tech regulation, it stands in stark contrast to other states like Utah and Tennessee, which are advancing in areas such as clean energy and infrastructure development. Local moratoriums on essential data centers in counties like Imperial and Monterey Park further illustrate a growing concern in California about maintaining its status as a hub for technological innovation.
In summary, California’s regulatory framework for artificial intelligence is extensive and expanding. The real question confronting the state’s next governor will not be whether regulations exist but rather whether California is willing to embrace the jobs, revenue, and innovation that come with fostering 21st-century infrastructure. Without a proactive approach, California risks losing its leadership in an industry that was largely born in the state.
