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.

“This report leverages broad evidence—including empirical research, historical analysis, and modeling and simulations—to provide a framework for policymaking on the frontier of AI development. Building on this multidisciplinary approach, this report derives policy principles that can inform how California approaches the use, assessment, and governance of frontier AI—principles rooted in an ethos of ‘trust but verify,’” says the executive summary.

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 Working Group, formed in September 2024 following the Governor’s veto of SB 1047, includes prominent figures such as Stanford Professor Dr. Fei-Fei Li, UC Berkeley Dean Dr. Jennifer Tour Chayes, and Carnegie Endowment President Tino Cuéllar. Their recommendations address how policymakers can regulate rapidly evolving AI systems while supporting innovation. The report emphasizes transparency, safety, and evidence-based decision-making, and incorporates public feedback collected after the March 2025 draft.

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who authored last year’s SB 1047 and this year introduced SB 53, welcomed the report as a validation of the urgency for legislative action. “This report affirms what our brightest AI minds have clearly stated: That while AI presents massive opportunities… the immense power of these models requires policymakers to act with haste to establish effective safety guardrails,” Wiener said in a press statement. He criticized growing federal efforts to preempt state laws, which he described as undermining protections against deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and intellectual property violations.

Governor Newsom said the report was important to “ensure that, as we move forward to help nurture AI technology, we do so with the safety of Californians at the top of mind.”