Governor Gavin Newsom has launched Engaged California statewide, inviting all residents to participate in shaping the state's artificial intelligence (AI) policy and assessing its impact on the economy and workforce. This marks the first time the digital democracy program has been opened to every Californian, following two successful pilot initiatives.
The engagement process will unfold in two phases, beginning today with public input where participants are invited to sign up at engaged.ca.gov/ai. Individuals will create a profile, answer questions about their AI experiences in work, share thoughts on its economic impact, and propose government actions. The second phase, starting later this summer, will involve a smaller, representative group of Californians in live forums to discuss ideas and delve into potential policy recommendations.
The program aims to identify areas of agreement among Californians regarding government actions on AI, with a final report to be delivered detailing the findings. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of public involvement, saying, "We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks. Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come." Government Operations Agency Secretary Nick Maduros added that Engaged California uses "new avenues and tools to listen to Californians from across the state on issues that impact all of us."
Engaged California is a unique deliberative democracy program, distinct from polls or town halls, designed to foster constructive discussions and consensus-building, inspired by successful digital democracy efforts in Taiwan. Previous pilots included gathering input for the LA firestorms recovery efforts, which led to 19 recommendations, and engaging over 1,450 state employees who contributed more than 2,500 ideas. Jeffery Marino, California Office of Data and Innovation Director, stated that "Engaged California has proven to be the most dynamic tool for listening to communities at scale."
California has already taken significant steps in AI governance, including integrating generative AI into state operations, commissioning expert reports, and establishing partnerships with tech giants like Nvidia, Google, Adobe, IBM, and Microsoft to prepare an AI-ready workforce. The state's efforts also include using GenAI to improve highway safety, enhance wildfire detection, and strengthening procurement processes to incentivize responsible business practices. These initiatives underscore California's commitment to balancing technological advancement with public protection and efficient governance.