California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order today (30 sep) declaring that Artificial Intelligence will be called "Artificial Intelligence" in California.

Employers can't use AI to read workers' emotions. AB 1883 bans AI surveillance tools that recognize or predict an employee's emotional state, or that collect neural data, such as readings from brain or nervous system sensors.

AI can't make firing decisions alone, and AI layoffs must be disclosed. Employers can't rely only on AI for discipline or termination. They must also tell workers if a mass layoff, relocation, or termination is caused by an AI system.

The wider package goes beyond the workplace. It protects doctors' own judgment when clinical AI tools are used, bans deleting AI watermarks, strengthens likeness protections against deepfakes, and requires gene synthesis companies to verify their customers and screen what they ship.