Gavin Newsom loved AI, then discovered he hated it

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed data center laws in September 2026 requiring data centers to report water use, reversing his October 2025 veto of a bill with the same reporting requirement. Newsom's office also announced experts to deliver on his AI executive order, including advancing creation of a "kill switch," after he said in his 2025 veto message he was "reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements." The California Post, which published the opinion piece, attributes the shift to Democratic politics ahead of the midterms rather than any change in AI itself.

Gavin Newsom has decided he’s skeptical of AI. It’s the exact opposite of the stance he took just one year ago. In October 2025, Newsom vetoed a bill that would require data centers to report their anticipated and past water use when applying for, and renewing their business licenses. Newsom wanted to boost California as a center of AI innovation and growth. So he didn’t want to restrict the industry. As he put it https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AB-93-Veto.pdf in a statement justifying his veto: “The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies is driving an unprecedented demand for data center capacity throughout the nation. As the global epicenter of the technology sector, California is well positioned to support the development of this critically important digital infrastructure in the state.” “I am reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements,” he added. But now, Newsom is signing bills https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/21/governor-newsom-signs-most-comprehensive-data-center-laws-in-the-nation-providing-communities-more-control-on-water-electricity-and-land-use/ to control AI and data centers — including a bill that requires data centers to provide information about their water use. In other words, a complete flip-flop. Instead of boosting AI as a driver of California’s economy, Newsom is telling the world that AI needs to be controlled. The governor says https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/23/governor-newsom-announces-world-leading-experts-to-deliver-on-his-ai-executive-order-including-advancing-creation-of-a-kill-switch/ he’s “taking action” on AI to address “the very real concerns that impact all of our futures.” What changed, in less than a year? Nothing — except politics. Democrats decided to adopt an anti-AI message heading into the midterms. They are amplifying public anxiety about the long-shot risks of AI, and the water and energy use of data centers. But Newsom has a record he has to bury. And so he is desperate to look like he’s trying to stop what he once cheered. He is issuing executive orders to develop a “kill switch” and appointing a committee to come up with new regulations. Last year, he was “reluctant to impose rigid reporting requirements.” This year, he is boasting about “first-in-the-nation safeguards and accountability measures,” even though other states moved first. “Decisive action to strengthen AI oversight,” he calls it. There is nothing “decisive” about Gavin Newsom. He is a classic finger-in-the-wind politician, who follows the polls to figure out what he believes that day. The needs of the party come before the needs of the state — and the needs of the politician come before all. Whatever your view on AI, you can be sure that Newsom has agreed with you, at one point or another. It’s the opposite of leadership. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheCaliforniaPost/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/californiapost , TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@CaliforniaPost , X https://x.com/californiapost , YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thecaliforniapost , WhatsApp https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6a2IV1NCrL6q2AWq0E , LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/company/californiapost California Post Sports Facebook https://www.facebook.com/capostsports/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/capostsports/?hl=en , TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@capostsports , YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CaliforniaPostSports , X https://x.com/capostsports California Post Opinion https://x.com/californiapost California Post Newsletters : Sign up here https://email.nypost.com/ california-post California Post App : Download here https://apps.apple.com/us/app/california-post/id6751343487 Home delivery : Sign up here https://subscribe.californiapost.com/defaultCAP Page Six Hollywood : Sign up here https://pagesix.com/hollywood-signup/