California Governor Gavin Newsom signs 'No Robo Bosses Act' to restrict AI-led termination

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 'No Robo Bosses Act' (SB 947), a landmark piece of legislation designed to prevent employers from using automated systems as the sole basis for disciplining or firing employees. The law mandates that human oversight must be central to any workplace decision affecting an individual's employment status. Beyond simply approving an AI-generated recommendation, managers are now required to provide independent evidence to corroborate automated findings. This bill is part of a broader package of 13 AI-related regulations signed by Newsom, reflecting California's proactive stance on AI governance in the absence of federal leadership. While the legislation was signed on September 30, 2026, it is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027. The move has been praised by labor unions as a critical step toward ensuring human accountability and protecting workers from unchecked algorithmic surveillance and decision-making.