California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken proactive measures to address the potential job disruptions caused by artificial intelligence (AI) with a new executive order. Issued on Thursday, the order outlines a comprehensive approach to support workers facing displacement due to AI advancements. Key initiatives include exploring severance policies, employment insurance, universal basic income, and workforce training programs. Newsom stated, 'This moment demands that we reimagine the entire system — how we work, how we govern, how we prepare people for the future.'

The urgency of this order is underscored by recent layoffs at Meta, where 8,000 employees were let go as the company pivots towards AI-focused roles. Other tech giants like Cisco and Microsoft are also reducing their workforce amid similar transitions. To facilitate a timely response, the executive order mandates the California Employment Development Department to develop a dashboard within 90 days to track AI's impact on jobs, using unemployment insurance data. Furthermore, by mid-October, state agencies will evaluate how unionized workplaces are managing the integration of AI technology. Newsom emphasized that this is just the beginning of reshaping policies to create a future of work that benefits everyone.