California voters push for tougher AI safety amid tech‑hub anxiety

California voters, in a POLITICO–Citrin Center poll, express broad anxiety about AI risks (77% see it as a threat to humans; 44% say it’s a 'very likely' risk), with strong support for tighter safeguards (84% want independent safety testing before release; 59% back stricter rules even if it slows innovation). Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved to accelerate AI oversight standards. The survey also found influencers more pessimistic about AI safety than the general public, though many respondents acknowledge some productivity and healthcare benefits; AI is not yet a top voting issue.