Potential Democratic candidates race to respond to AI threat amid Trump’s dismissals

Amid growing panic over the risks posed by rapidly developing AI technology, potential 2028 Democratic candidates are scrambling to respond — trying to show they are doing something, even as they acknowledge they need a reluctant Washington to step up. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to accelerate implementation of a California law that calls for independent oversight of AI companies and the use of “kill switches” so developers have the ability to shut down their systems, if needed. It's the latest effort by democratic lawmakers and candidates across the country after Republican President Donald Trump angrily dismissed the warnings as a “HOAX.”