Becerra, Hilton won’t back Newsom’s AI ‘kill switch’; Fresno, Kern watch
Both candidates for governor declined to commit to the AI safety steps Gov. Gavin Newsom asked for on Friday, leaving Valley agencies and employers waiting on specifics.
Becerra, Hilton won’t back Newsom’s AI ‘kill switch’; Fresno, Kern watch
Key Takeaways
- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 18 directed agencies to draft AI safety rules, including a “kill switch,” by Nov. 16.
- Steve Hilton rejected a statewide AI “kill switch,” calling it “a gimmick,” and stopped short on other measures.
- Xavier Becerra’s campaign said he supports strict AI safety but didn’t commit to Newsom’s new steps.
- A PPIC survey released this week shows Becerra leading Hilton by 22 points statewide.
"A gimmick," Steve Hilton said of a statewide AI "kill switch." Democrat Xavier Becerra didn’t say yes to it either. For Valley cities, schools and employers that buy software with AI inside, the answer is wait and see.
What Newsom proposed Friday
On Friday, Sept. 18, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to draft recommendations on independent safety checks for powerful AI systems and an emergency "kill switch" to shut down models during crises. He set a Nov. 16 deadline, and he left the door open to a special session to move the ideas before he leaves office. The order builds on a new law that sets up independent verification groups to audit AI models.
In the CalMatters photo from a Fresno State forum, the stage lights bounced off a glossy lectern. One frame, two candidates, a clear split on the "kill switch."
Where the candidates land
Hilton told CalMatters that AI risk would be an "urgent priority" if he wins, and he is interested in more oversight, but he later rejected a required "kill switch" and wouldn’t commit to external monitors. Becerra declined an interview; his campaign said he would enforce strong AI safety rules against "catastrophic risks" but did not say whether he would implement Newsom’s newest asks. For now, no promises.
Becerra leads Hilton by 22 points in this week’s Public Policy Institute of California polling, a margin that, if it holds, would give the next governor the pen on any AI package that lands after Nov. 16.
Why the Valley cares
Any new rules would apply to the tools local agencies and contractors use in Fresno County and Kern County, from back-office chat assistants to software that helps schedule buses or triage service requests. A state requirement for third‑party safety checks, or a required shutoff for certain models, would change which vendors clear procurement and how fast they ship updates here. That affects timelines and budgets at city halls and districts as much as it does in Sacramento.
Advocates who want tighter rules argue California needs to act because Washington hasn’t. "The incoming governor has a really grave responsibility to make sure we get this right," said Scott Wisor of the Secure AI Project.
And here is the practical question for local readers: if the state lands on a kill‑switch standard or a mandatory outside audit, will your agency’s software be ready without another procurement cycle. We’ll keep asking.
"The incoming governor has a really grave responsibility to make sure we get this right."
Central Valley AI is produced by the CVAI Newsdesk team and developed by Kaweah Tech, a regional firm that builds, deploys, and integrates AI solutions for businesses across California's Central Valley.