California Governor Signs Executive Order Defining AI Terminology Amid “Super Intelligence” Push
The California AI terminology executive order signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2026, formally addresses how artificial intelligence terminology should be used across California state government.
The order comes just one day after President Donald Trump signed a federal executive order directing the U.S. executive branch to replace the terms “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” with “Super Intelligence” and “SI” in official communications and other non-statutory documents.
California’s new order takes a different approach. It directs the state to continue using the established term “Artificial Intelligence” and provides definitions intended to create consistency across state government.
California Moves to Define Artificial Intelligence
Governor Gavin Newsom’s September 30 executive order is specifically focused on terminology and definitions surrounding AI.
According to the California governor’s office, the order permanently establishes the use of “Artificial Intelligence” as the state’s terminology rather than adopting the federal government’s newly introduced “Super Intelligence” terminology.
The move comes as governments and technology companies continue to develop policies around increasingly capable AI systems.
For California, establishing consistent terminology is part of a broader effort to create a framework for AI governance, safety, accountability and public-sector use.
Federal Government Introduces “Super Intelligence” Terminology
The California order follows a federal executive order signed by President Trump on September 29.
The federal order instructs executive departments and agencies to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” in official correspondence, websites, reports, policy documents and other non-statutory materials.
The federal order also establishes a definition for “Super Intelligence” for purposes of implementing the order. It initially uses the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence while directing the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to propose a federal definition within 60 days.
This creates a notable difference between federal and California terminology.
What California’s Executive Order Does
California’s order is intended to establish a consistent state-level terminology framework.
The governor’s office described the action as an executive order defining artificial intelligence and preserving the term “Artificial Intelligence” for use in California.
The terminology decision is significant because definitions can influence how governments draft regulations, establish standards and communicate with businesses and the public.
Rather than simply changing the label used for the technology, California is also continuing its broader work on AI oversight and safety.
Why AI Definitions Matter
Words used in legislation and government policy can have practical consequences.
A clearly defined term can help agencies determine which technologies fall within a particular regulatory or administrative framework. It can also make it easier for businesses and the public to understand which systems are covered by government policies.
This becomes more important as AI systems become increasingly diverse.
Modern AI technologies can include generative models, automated decision-making systems, AI agents, robotics and specialized machine-learning applications. A consistent definition can help determine how different technologies are treated under existing and future policies.
California’s Broader AI Policy Framework
The terminology order is only one part of California’s broader AI policy activity.
Earlier in September, Newsom signed legislation establishing frameworks for independent verification organizations and AI auditors. The measures are intended to increase independent assessment, transparency and accountability for AI systems and models covered by state law.
On September 18, Newsom also issued an executive order directing state agencies to accelerate implementation of those measures and develop recommendations involving independent oversight, AI safety assessments and potential mechanisms for shutting down certain frontier AI models in specified circumstances.
These actions show that California’s terminology decision is occurring within a much broader policy effort.
California and Federal AI Terminology Now Differ
The most immediate consequence of the two executive orders is a difference in terminology between California and the federal government.
At the federal level, agencies have been directed to use “Super Intelligence” or “SI” in place of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” in specified official materials.
California, meanwhile, has directed the state to continue using “Artificial Intelligence.”
The difference does not necessarily mean that the two governments are referring to completely different categories of technology. The federal order itself says that, for its purposes, “Super Intelligence” initially encompasses technologies covered by the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence.
However, the terminology could become more consequential if federal and state definitions eventually diverge in legislation or regulation.
Existing Meaning of “Superintelligence”
The term “superintelligence” also has an established meaning in AI research and philosophy.
It has traditionally been used to describe hypothetical AI systems whose intellectual capabilities substantially exceed those of humans. That differs from the broader way the federal executive order currently defines “Super Intelligence” for government terminology purposes.
The distinction has attracted attention because terminology used in scientific and policy discussions can carry different meanings depending on context.
California’s decision to retain “Artificial Intelligence” therefore preserves terminology already widely used in technology research, regulation and government policy.
What the Executive Order Means for California Agencies
For California state agencies, the order provides a standardized vocabulary for discussing AI-related technology and policy.
Consistent terminology can help agencies coordinate their policies and communicate with businesses, researchers and residents.
It can also reduce potential confusion when different departments create guidelines or implement programs involving AI.
California already has several AI-related policies covering areas such as government procurement, AI safety, cybersecurity, workforce impacts and public-sector technology use. The terminology order adds another layer of consistency to that framework.
AI Governance Continues to Expand
The latest executive order arrives as governments around the world attempt to establish rules for increasingly capable AI systems.
California has pursued AI policy through executive orders, legislation, procurement standards and partnerships with technology companies. In June, the state announced a partnership with Anthropic to provide AI tools to state agencies while supporting responsible adoption and workforce training.
California also launched an AI Cyber Defense Program in August aimed at strengthening defenses against AI-enabled cyber threats affecting state assets and critical infrastructure.
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate how terminology, safety, cybersecurity and public-sector adoption are becoming interconnected elements of AI governance.
What Happens Next?
The immediate effect of the California order is to establish the state’s terminology while the federal government moves forward with its own “Super Intelligence” framework.
The federal executive order requires a proposed legislative definition of “Super Intelligence” and “SI” within 60 days.
Meanwhile, California’s existing AI policy framework is continuing to develop through new legislation, executive actions and agency implementation.
As AI technology advances, the definitions used by governments could become increasingly important for determining which systems are covered by safety standards, reporting requirements and other rules.
For now, California and the federal government are using different terminology to describe and govern the same rapidly evolving technology sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the California AI terminology executive order?
It is an executive order signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2026, that establishes California’s continued use of the term “Artificial Intelligence” and addresses the state’s definition and terminology for AI.
2. Why did California issue the executive order?
The order establishes consistent terminology for AI across California state government as the state continues developing policies governing artificial intelligence.
3. What term does California use for AI?
California’s order preserves “Artificial Intelligence” as the state’s terminology rather than adopting “Super Intelligence.”
4. What term is the federal government using?
A September 29 federal executive order directs U.S. executive-branch agencies to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” in specified official materials.
5. What does “Super Intelligence” mean under the federal order?
For purposes of the federal executive order, “Super Intelligence” initially refers to technologies covered by the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence. The order also directs the White House science and technology adviser to propose a federal definition within 60 days.
6. Is “superintelligence” already an established AI term?
Yes. In AI research and philosophy, “superintelligence” has traditionally referred to hypothetical systems whose cognitive abilities substantially exceed those of humans.
7. Does California’s order change AI laws?
The terminology order itself focuses on how AI is defined and referred to by California. It comes alongside separate California legislation and executive actions dealing with AI safety, oversight, cybersecurity and accountability.
8. Does the federal order change existing AI regulations?
The federal executive order specifically states that it does not require previously issued regulations, presidential actions, contracts, grants or historical documents to be changed.
9. Why are AI definitions important?
Definitions help determine which technologies fall within the scope of government policies, regulations, standards and reporting requirements. Clear terminology can also improve consistency between government agencies.
10. What happens next with the federal definition of “Super Intelligence”?
The federal executive order gives the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology 60 days to submit proposed legislative language for a federal definition of “Super Intelligence” and “SI,” along with recommendations for related changes.
