Record STMT-M232Legally binding

Executive Order N-12-23

EXECUTIVE ORDER N-12-23

Executive order State lawNorthern America · USin force

This executive order establishes comprehensive state-level guidance for the responsible development, procurement, and deployment of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) across California state government agencies. It mandates the creation of reports, risk analyses on critical infrastructure, procurement guidelines, workforce training programs, and partnerships with academic institutions like UC Berkeley and Stanford University. The order aims to balance the innovative benefits of GenAI with rigorous protections against risks such as bias, discrimination, security vulnerabilities, and impacts on vulnerable communities.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Office of the Governor of CaliforniaGovernment (executive) · US

Lead issuer

Legal forceLegally binding

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

State or provincial governmentPublic sector bodiesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academicsWorkers

California state government agencies, public officials, and state workers who need to understand policies, procurement rules, and risk management frameworks for implementing generative AI.

Sectors

Public administration · state government operations and workforceCross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The order covers the evaluation, procurement, pilot testing, and deployment of generative artificial intelligence tools within California state government agencies. It addresses risk assessments for high-risk use cases and critical infrastructure, public sector procurement guidelines, workforce training, impact assessments for vulnerable communities, and research partnerships with academic institutions.

What's missing

The order does not impose binding regulations, statutory laws, or restrictions on private sector companies developing or deploying GenAI outside of state government procurement and operations, nor does it create enforceable legal rights for individuals against the state.

Key takeaways

State agencies must inventory all high-risk GenAI uses within 60 days.
The state will issue public sector procurement guidelines addressing safety, data privacy, and algorithmic discrimination by January 2024.
A joint risk analysis on critical infrastructure and potential threats involving GenAI must be completed by March 2024.
State agencies are directed to consider pilot projects and sandboxes to test GenAI applications safely.
The state will collaborate with UC Berkeley and Stanford University to evaluate GenAI impacts and host a statewide summit in 2024.

Principles it states

accuracyreliabilityethical outcomestransparencyequity

Outline

· 1) Report on beneficial use cases and high-risk applications of GenAI
· 2) Joint risk analysis of threats to critical energy infrastructure
· 3) Guidelines for public sector procurement, use cases, training, impact on vulnerable communities, inventories, and pilot projects
· 4) Stakeholder engagement with the Legislature and marginalized communities
· 5) Support for the state government workforce, including training and impact evaluation criteria
· 6) Formal partnership with UC Berkeley and Stanford University and planning for a joint summit
· 7) Evaluation of regulatory impacts by state legal counsel

Issued6 September 2023

Length2,476 words · 7 pages

FormatNot recorded

Scopesubnational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

all agencies and departments shall appoint a senior level management personnel who will be responsible for conducting and reporting the results of the inventory

Paragraph 3(d)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

1/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

the State of California endeavors to continue leading the world in the responsible development, adoption, and implementation of new technologies for the benefit of all Californians

Preamble

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

3/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

These recommendations shall address how to ensure systems are regularly tested and monitored to detect and avoid unintended behavior, and how to ensure they remain under effective human control.

Paragraph 2

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

3/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

all agencies and departments subject to my authority shall conduct and submit an inventory of all current high-risk uses of GenAI within the agency or department

Paragraph 3(d)

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

generative_ai public_procurement risk_assessment state_workforce critical_infrastructure