California State Agencies Ordered to Study the Impact of AI in Employment
May 28, 2026
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate the conversation for employers in California. On May 21, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-6-26, directing a sweeping set of state-level actions aimed at studying, managing and mitigating the workforce impacts of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. While the new executive order does not impose direct new mandates on private employers at this time, it signals a clear regulatory direction and establishes timelines for policy recommendations that could materially affect employer obligations in the near future. Employers operating in California should take note of several key provisions and prepare accordingly.
Background and Purpose
This executive order follows on the heels of updated regulations issued by the California Civil Rights Council addressing the use of AI in making employment-based decisions. Further, the order builds upon California’s prior AI-focused executive actions—including Executive Order N-12-23 (2023) and Executive Order N-5-26 (March 2026)—and reflects the state’s position that rapid AI adoption, while fostering economic growth, must be paired with proactive measures to protect workers and the broader economy. Governor Newsom framed the order against the backdrop of California’s existing robust worker protection laws, including anti-discrimination protections, layoff and closure notice requirements and existing programs such as Work Share that provide alternatives to layoffs.
