California governor signs first US executive order to protect workers from AI job loss

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a first-of-its-kind executive order on AI-related job loss.

The order directs state agencies to work with researchers, unions, and industry on worker-retention subsidies, retraining, and other labor market responses.

It also calls for a review of ideas like universal basic capital, signaling a broader rethink of how to support workers as automation spreads.

The move is the first US governor-led action focused on preparing labor policy for AI disruption, ahead of federal action.