California Defies Federal AI Rebrand: Newsom Orders State Agencies to Retain 'Artificial Intelligence' Terminology Amid Trump 'Super Intelligence' Push

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on September 30, 2026, directing state agencies to continue using the terms 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI' despite President Donald Trump's September 29 executive order mandating federal agencies adopt 'Super Intelligence' and 'SI' in official communications. The California order explicitly states that agencies 'shall refer to Artificial Intelligence and AI as 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI,' notwithstanding any rebranded or different terminology used by the federal government, unless inconsistent with the law.' Newsom's accompanying statement dismissed the federal rebranding effort, declaring 'Super intelligence is clearly not coming from the White House—that's why California continues to lead.' Trump's order aims to reflect the technology's 'promise, potential, and rapidly advancing capabilities,' directing agencies to cease acknowledging 'Artificial Intelligence' or 'AI' in non-statutory documents. The move coincides with Newsom signing multiple AI-related bills focused on workplace protections, including prohibitions on sole reliance on AI for disciplinary decisions and requirements for notices during AI-driven mass layoffs. This episode underscores ongoing federal-state tensions over AI governance, with California positioning itself as a leader in safety and worker safeguards while the federal government prioritizes innovation and rebranding. Broader context includes prior Newsom executive actions accelerating independent oversight and exploring 'kill switch' requirements for advanced models, highlighting California's proactive regulatory stance against perceived federal inaction. The terminology clash illustrates how symbolic policy decisions can amplify perceptions of authority conflicts, potentially eroding public trust in unified governance on critical technologies.