FSF Criticizes Newsom's AI Executive Order, Says Free Software Foundation
| Source: Mastodon | Original article
The Free Software Foundation has issued comments on Governor Newsom’s executive order addressing artificial intelligence in California.
Governor Gavin Newsom has moved to tighten oversight of artificial‑intelligence systems built in California, and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has publicly weighed in. In an executive order issued on 18 September 2026, Newsom directed a state agency to convene a panel of experts tasked with exploring whether California law can be amended to require “kill switches” in AI models. The proposed mechanism would allow an independent organization to verify that a model can be shut down in an emergency, a step the governor says is needed after a series of high‑profile AI incidents.
The FSF responded with a brief statement posted to its website, noting the order’s focus on “so‑called artificial intelligence” and linking to its full comments. While the foundation’s exact arguments are not reproduced here, its involvement signals concern from the free‑software community about any mandate that could constrain how code is distributed, inspected or modified. A compulsory kill‑switch could clash with the FSF’s core principle that software should remain freely usable and adaptable, raising questions about compliance for open‑source AI projects.
The order’s timeline adds urgency: the expert panel must deliver design recommendations for a verified shutdown mechanism by 16 November 2026. If the panel’s findings are adopted, California could become the first U.S. state to embed a technical safety requirement into its AI regulatory framework, potentially prompting other jurisdictions to follow suit.
Stakeholders will be watching the panel’s draft, any legislative amendments that emerge, and how AI firms—especially those that rely on open‑source models—adjust their development pipelines. Further statements from the FSF and reactions from industry groups are expected in the coming weeks as the state moves from proposal to implementation.
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