California Governor Signs Order on AI Terminology Amid Trump Debate

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, issued an executive order on Wednesday mandating state agencies to use the term “artificial intelligence” instead of President Trump’s proposed “superintelligence.” This move stands as a clear counter to Trump’s rebranding effort.

Over the course of two days, tensions around terminology unfolded. Trump informed journalists on Tuesday that he was instructing the federal government to adopt “Super Intelligence,” arguing that the technology isn’t truly artificial. To bolster his claims, he gathered high-profile tech executives, many of whom echoed his words after a White House luncheon that day.

Executives from Google, Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, and Nvidia came together to sign a “White House Accord on Super Intelligence” during this event. Breitbart News noted the accord as a set of guiding principles for the industry, emphasizing the importance of oversight and transparency in AI technology management.

In light of the accord, Johnson mentioned that both Congress and the White House would continue to steer the AI sector’s development responsibly.

Trump described the accord as akin to a “constitution,” highlighting the event as “something very, very special.”

Newsom’s response came swiftly, framing it as crucial to maintain the state’s leadership in this domain. His directive asserts that California agencies must exclusively refer to the technology as “artificial intelligence” or “AI.” He dismissed Trump’s approach directly, stating, “Super intelligence is clearly not coming from the White House — that’s why California continues to lead.”

Alongside this announcement, Newsom signed several bills intended to safeguard workers from decisions influenced by AI. The new laws stipulate that companies must provide layoff notices associated with AI and delineate how AI can be employed in disciplinary measures and terminations.

The debate surrounding AI has set high-profile political figures against each other, all vying for influence over the future of this significant technology. Tensions are running deep as perspectives diverge on managing AI’s advancements.