Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, AI NEWS—Clock is ticking on ‘first-ever statewide deliberative democracy effort’ to assess labor impacts of AI on Californians, (Jun 3, 2026)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

The engagement survey, which wraps up on June 8, was announced ahead of Governor Newsom’s executive order on AI and the workforce.

On May 21, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order (Executive Order N-6-26) directing California to prepare workers, small businesses, and communities for the economic disruption that artificial intelligence will bring to the workforce. A few weeks earlier, Newsom announced the expansion of Engaged California, the state’s first-in-the-nation digital democracy program, to recruit Californians to share details on how AI is affecting their work and the state’s economy, along with what they believe the state should do about it. The deadline for responses to that survey is swiftly approaching.

Executive Order N-6-26 directs the state to explore policies including severance standards, employment insurance, and transition support for displaced workers, along with worker ownership models, universal basic capital concepts, expanded workforce training, and stronger tracking of hiring and payroll trends to help California respond faster to potential layoffs and economic disruption.

“California has never sat back and watched as the future happened to us—and we won’t start now,” said Newsom. “We have taken the lead on advancing innovation, safety, and transparency. But we must think bigger. This moment demands that we reimagine the entire system—how we work, how we govern, how we prepare people for the future—and that work is starting right here in the Golden State.”

A seat at the table. In the landing page for the Engaged California survey, “Impact of AI on work,” some concerns are listed that might help guide responses, such as whether AI will displace educated workers, whether entry-level jobs will disappear, whether it will widen wage gaps, and whether AI work product can be trusted. It also notes concerns about ethics, privacy, and racial impacts.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” said Newsom. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come. Engaged California is making sure people aren’t just spectators, but participants in decision-making and state policy.”

The deadline for participation in the public input portion of Engaged California is June 8, 2026. A second phase, which is expected to begin later in the summer, will be a live discussion of a smaller group of state residents, “reflective of the California workforce,” who will be selected to participate. A final report will be delivered with the findings.

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