California Report Warns AI Risks Irreversible Harms Amid Federal Moratorium

California is at the forefront of AI policy development, with Governor Gavin Newsom commissioning a comprehensive report that advocates for evidence-based regulation, transparency, and mandatory adverse event reporting to mitigate AI risks. The report warns that without proper safeguards, AI could cause severe and potentially irreversible harm, including risks related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. This comes amid federal legislative efforts led by President Donald Trump proposing a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations, which would suspend existing protections against AI-generated abuses such as deepfake pornography and robocall scams. The California report and over 40 state attorneys general oppose the federal moratorium, emphasizing the need for targeted state policies to protect citizens while avoiding burdensome rules that could stifle innovation. Meanwhile, studies highlight that responsible use of AI can enhance critical thinking when used as a tool following initial human effort, but overreliance may degrade neural connections and cognitive skills. These developments underscore ongoing tensions between innovation, safety, and regulatory authority in AI governance.