Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Ayushi Roy as California’s state chief technology officer, naming a public-sector technology official with experience in federal modernization efforts to one of the state’s top technology positions.

California’s ongoing debate over how to fix troubled government technology projects will enter a new phase on June 25, when the Little Hoover Commission convenes the third and final hearing in its review of IT project delivery. The upcoming session will include testimony from Nick Maduros, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.

California is strengthening its position as the global leader in artificial intelligence through new agreements with four of the industry’s largest companies—Google, Adobe, IBM, and Microsoft—aimed at preparing students and workers for high-paying careers in the AI-driven economy. Announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in San Francisco, the partnerships will provide high school, community college, and California State University students with free access to AI tools, training programs, and industry expertise, with no cost to the state.

Governor Gavin Newsom is advancing his government modernization agenda with a new initiative aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness across California’s state agencies. The California Breakthrough Project, announced today (7/15/25), brings together leaders from California’s innovation community to collaborate directly with state officials and frontline workers to identify opportunities for innovation and improved service delivery.

Senator Scott Wiener, in a July 8 open letter, announced new amendments to Senate Bill 53, expanding the legislation to include transparency requirements for developers of the most advanced AI models. Drawing from the recommendations of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Joint California Policy Working Group on Frontier Models, Wiener’s revised bill focuses on transparency and accountability while deliberately excluding startups, academics, and smaller developers from its requirements, according to the senator's announcement.

As artificial intelligence reshapes global industries and everyday life, California continues to position itself at the forefront of responsible AI development. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the final report from the Joint California Policy Working Group on AI Frontier Models—a first-of-its-kind 53-page policy framework crafted by some of the world’s leading AI experts from elite universities, including Stanford, Harvard, and UC Berkeley. With numerous GenAI-oversight measures pending at the State Capitol, including some that have raised regulatory concerns by the technology industry, the report is intended to guide California in managing the growing power and risks associated with frontier AI systems.

The California Department of Finance (DOF) is partnering with San Francisco-based tech firm Authorium to launch a new generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) project aimed at accelerating the state’s legislative bill analysis process. Announced this week, the initiative is part of California’s growing effort to modernize government operations using AI, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2023 executive order directing state agencies to integrate GenAI to improve efficiency and support frontline staff.

California is making progress in using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to modernize public services, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing a slate of new initiatives aimed at making state operations faster, safer, and more efficient. Joined by Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin, Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros, Carnegie Endowment President Tino Cuéllar, and Taiwanese Digital Ambassador Audrey Tang, the announcement was made on Wednesday (4/29) at Accenture’s Los Angeles headquarters.

Government Operations Agency (GovOps) Undersecretary Sarah Soto-Taylor delivered a wide-ranging address at the Emerging Technologies Forum in December, underscoring California’s strategic push to embrace innovation, enhance collaboration, and maintain a sharp focus on human-centered service delivery. Speaking to a room of state leaders, technologists, and industry partners, Soto-Taylor outlined how the state is laying the groundwork for technological advancement while keeping equity and accessibility front and center.

Jeffery Marino, Director of the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), delivered a keynote at the Emerging Technology Forum, discussing the importance of a product management mindset in government service delivery. His address highlighted the lessons learned from past IT failures, the role of generative AI, and the need for iterative development approaches to improve public sector technology projects.

In a pair of letters addressed to the California State Senate, Governor Gavin Newsom returned two bills without his signature, highlighting his administration’s ongoing efforts to responsibly deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems (ADS) while maintaining budgetary discipline.

 Senate Bill 1220 (Limón -D) would prevent certain state call centers from using AI or automated decision systems (ADS) that threaten to eliminate or automate core job functions of state employees.  The bill is awaiting action by Governor Gavin Newsom after passing through both legislative chambers this summer.  The governor has until September 30th to act on the measure.

California residents will soon have the option of storing their driver’s licenses and state IDs directly on their mobile devices, following a new initiative announced on Aug. 15 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The state is partnering with tech giants Apple and Google to offer secure digital versions of these essential documents in the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.

The State of California has proposed regulations to combat employment discrimination arising from the use of artificial intelligence and other automated decision-making systems.  The California Civil Rights Council initiated the regulations through the Administrative Procedure Act. 

The State Senate has passed Senate Bill 1220, by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems (ADS) in public benefit program call centers. The bill seeks to ensure that AI does not replace core job functions of human workers in state and local agencies.