Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced an executive order Thursday aimed at protecting workers as fears grow that artificial intelligence could replace jobs across major industries.

The order positions California at the forefront of the national debate over AI regulation and workforce protections, as the technology rapidly reshapes industries ranging from media to customer service. Newsom framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to prepare the state for what he described as a fundamental transformation of work and government.