Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) on Monday launched what California calls a first-in-the-nation AI Cyber Defense Program to use artificial intelligence to strengthen protections for critical infrastructure and essential services.
California Launches AI Cyber Defense Program
In a post on X, Newsom announced the AI Cyber Defense Program, saying California will strengthen cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure and essential services as AI-powered threats become more sophisticated.
He said, "As Trump cuts federal cybersecurity funding, California is stepping up."
"We’re launching a first-in-the-nation AI Cyber Defense Program to protect our critical infrastructure and keep essential services safe," he added.
Newsom further said, "AI-enabled cybersecurity threats are no longer hypothetical and we won’t wait for Washington to act."
As Trump cuts federal cybersecurity funding, California is stepping up.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) August 10, 2026
We’re launching a first-in-the-nation AI Cyber Defense Program to protect our critical infrastructure and keep essential services safe.
AI-enabled cybersecurity threats are no longer hypothetical and we… pic.twitter.com/IT2BihSlB8
AI Cybersecurity Risks Reshape Enterprise Technology
Last week, AI-related cybersecurity concerns continued to grow as Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) Muse Spark 1.1 model accidentally gained internet access during testing and exploited a third-party vulnerability.
The incident followed similar safety concerns involving Anthropic and OpenAI.
Meanwhile, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon urged corporate leaders to join the Alliance for Critical Infrastructure, which sought to strengthen defenses against AI-related cyber, physical and geopolitical threats.
The group had contacted more than 40 companies across critical infrastructure sectors.
White House Excludes Open-Weight AI Models
The White House reportedly told leading AI companies that open-weight AI models would be excluded from the government’s planned voluntary safety testing program.
The decision came ahead of meetings between White House officials and executives from Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic and Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Google, who were expected to discuss government testing of advanced AI models.
Open-weight models allow users to download, modify and customize the underlying technology.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock
