EXECUTIVE ORDER N-12-23 - Governing Generative Artificial Intelligence in California

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Executive Order N-12-23 sets requirements for California to lead the responsible development, adoption, and deployment of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The order cites GenAI’s potential to advance innovation, public services, and research while emphasizing careful deployment to mitigate risks such as bioterrorism, cyberattacks, disinformation, deception, and discrimination or bias. It directs state agencies to draft a benefits-and-risks use-case report, with regular updates and consultation across civil society, academia, and industry.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Draft report and high-risk use cases

Benefits, risks, and required consultation

Ongoing assessment and updates

# EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTSTATE OF CALIFORNIA EXECUTIVE ORDER N-12-23 WHEREAS the State of California is a global leader in innovation,research,development,human capital,and entrepreneurship;and WHEREAS Generative Artificial Intelligence("GenAI")represents asignificant leap forward in technology,by generating novel text,images,andother content,which will transform the way that the State and the worldconduct business and serve the public;and WHEREAS GenAl has the potential to catalyze innovation and the rapiddevelopment of a wide range of benefits for Californians and the Californiaeconomy,such as advances in medicine,wildfire forecasting and prevention,and climate science,and to push the bounds of human creativity andcapacity;and WHEREAS California is leading the world in GenAl innovation and research,and is home to 35 of the world's top 50 Artificial Intelligence("AI”)companies;and WHEREAS San Francisco and San Jose are dominating this technologicalrevolution,accounting fora quarter of all Al patents,conference papers,andcompanies globally;and WHEREAS the State of California endeavors to continue leading the worldin the responsible development,adoption,and implementation of newtechnologies for the benefit of all Californians and the California economy;and WHEREAS GenAl can enhance human potential and creativity but mustbe deployed and regulated carefully to mitigate and guard against a newgeneration of risks;and WHEREAS the State of California is committed to accuracy,reliability,andethical outcomes when adopting GenAl technology,engaging and supportinghistorically vulnerable and marginalized communities,and serving its residents,workers,and businesses in a transparent,engaged,and equitable way;and WHEREAS the State of California seeks to realize the potential benefits ofGenAl for the good of all California residents,through the development anddeployment of GenAl tools that improve the equitable and timely delivery ofservices,while balancing the benefits and risks of these new technologies;and WHEREAS the California state workforce is vital to California's continuedprosperity and the State seeks to harness the potential of GenAl for the benefitof the state government workforce;and WHEREAS California is home to the University of California,Berkeley,College of Computing,Data Science,and Society and Stanford University'sInstitute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence,which are world-leadingresearch institutions in GenAl;and WHEREAS the location of these institutions in California provides a uniqueopportunity for academic research and government collaboration;and WHEREAS GenAl development is advancing and accelerating at anexponential pace;and WHEREAS the unprecedented speed of innovation and deployment ofGenAl technologies necessitates measured guardrails to protect againstpotential risks or malicious uses,including but not limited to,bioterrorism,cyberattacks,disinformation,deception,and discrimination or bias;2 and WHEREAS the promise of GenAl requires the creation of a risk-safetyecosystem and the investment of private companies and research institutions tofoster talent dedicated to trust and safety in these new frontiers;and WHEREAS research institutions face significant barriers in accessing the vastamounts of computing power necessary to use GenAl for research andeducation and there is a need for a public-private effort to overcome suchbarriers;and WHEREAS thoughtful,responsive governance at the beginning of atechnology's lifecycle can maximize equitable distribution of the benefits,minimize adverse impacts and abuse by bad actors,and reduce barriers toentry into emerging markets;and WHEREAS the development of GenAl will necessitate united governanceon issues of consumer data,financial services,healthcare,and innumerableother areas critical to our society,and my administration looks forward toengaging with the Legislature in furtherance of this aim;and WHEREAS California is the most

FAQs

What is the purpose of Executive Order N-12-23?

To guide California in the responsible development, adoption, and implementation of generative AI while balancing benefits with safeguards against emerging risks.

What must state agencies do within 60 days?

Draft a report to the Governor identifying significant potentially beneficial GenAI use cases, and explain potential risks for individuals, communities, and government workers, especially for high-risk decisions.

What organizations or experts must be consulted for the report?

The order requires consultation with civil society, academia, industry experts, and the state government workforce or organizations representing state government employees.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai