California Executive Order N-12-23 — Generative Artificial Intelligence
CA · Cal. Exec. Order No. N-12-23 (Sept. 6, 2023)
Governor Newsom's EO N-12-23 directs California agencies to study generative AI's risks and uses and to develop a deployment framework. It produced the 2024 GenAI Procurement and Use Guidelines, governing how state agencies acquire and use GenAI tools.
Technical detail
Newsom EO N-12-23 (Sept. 6, 2023): directs CDT, GovOps, OPR, and CalCCC to issue a generative-AI risk-and-opportunity report; develop GenAI procurement guidelines; pilot GenAI in state services; and train the state workforce on responsible GenAI use. Established the foundation for California's 2024 GenAI Procurement and Use Guidelines and the AI Community of Practice.
Who is protected: Californians interacting with state agencies that deploy GenAI
Who must comply: California state agencies under the Governor's direct authority
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | CA |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2023-09-06 |
| Enacted | 2023-09-06 |
| Citation | Cal. Exec. Order No. N-12-23 (Sept. 6, 2023) |
| Enforced by | California Department of Technology (CDT) / Government Operations Agency (GovOps) |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Topics | government use of AI · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | Executive Order N-12-23 — Office of Governor Gavin Newsom ↗ |
More AI rules in CA
- CA AB 2148 no-AI school employees (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- CA AG Bonta · In effect
- CA Bar GenAI Guidance · In effect
- CA CPPA ADMT Regs · In effect
- CA SB 1120 (AI prior auth) · In effect
- CA AB 2655 (deepfake takedown) · Blocked / in litigation
Related government use of AI rules elsewhere
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- One-year moratorium on data center development (Inver Grove Heights MN) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- San Marcos citywide data center ban (Land Use Matrix amendme · In effect
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