California bans AI 'robo bosses' with first-in-nation SB 947

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947, the first US law barring employers from relying solely on automated decision systems to discipline or fire workers. A human reviewer must corroborate the AI's recommendation with additional evidence, and workers must be notified in writing. The law takes effect in July 2027.

• Employers cannot rely exclusively on automated systems to discipline or fire workers
• A human must corroborate the decision with evaluations, peer reviews or personnel records
• Workers get written notice of AI's role and a human contact for the outcome
• The law takes effect in July 2027, enforced by the labor commissioner