California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order for California to independently review federal supply-chain risk designations for businesses. This follows a dispute between AI company Anthropic and the Department of Defense over contract terms. The order aims to regulate AI use by state employees while encouraging its adoption. California agencies must develop AI contract standards, improve government transparency, and issue guidance on AI-generated content. Newsom's move contrasts with federal policies, which took a lighter regulatory approach. This is Newsom's second AI-focused order, reflecting growing interest from unions and tech donors.

A growing number of U.S. college instructors are turning to oral exams to help combat an AI crisis in higher education. Some are replacing written assignments with oral exams. Others are pairing Socratic-style questioning with written assignments or requiring students to attend office hours. Instructors say they know student use of AI is ubiquitous but hard to police, and it's impacting student learning. Oral exams allow instructors to determine what students know and where they need help. Students say they don't always love the testing format, but many agree that it's effective. As one student says, knowing that you will be face-to-face with a professor "makes you realize, 'I should study this.'"