| Published May 1, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives aimed at enhancing state government efficiency, positioning them as a more effective alternative to Elon Musk’s federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This announcement comes amid California’s ongoing budget challenges and legal disputes with the federal government.
AI Initiatives for Government Efficiency
Governor Newsom unveiled partnerships with Accenture, Deloitte, and Anthropic to implement generative AI tools in areas such as highway congestion management, traffic safety improvement, and customer service enhancements. These efforts build upon his 2023 executive order on AI, reinforcing California’s push to modernize governance through collaborative strategies.
Contrasting Approaches: Newsom vs. Musk
In his announcement, Newsom contrasted his approach with that of Elon Musk’s DOGE, which has been criticized for aggressive cost-cutting measures. While DOGE claims significant federal savings, it has faced legal opposition for reducing key services. Newsom emphasized a more collaborative and humane approach to government efficiency, stating, “We’re DOGE but better.”
He claimed that DOGE had been “very damaging” in the way it had cut federal spending, and taunted Musk for failing, thus far, to reach trillion-dollar targets for cutting spending.
“We’re DOGE but better,” Newsom said. “And we’ve been DOGE but better for literally six years.”
His proposed 2025 budget is $322 billion, up from his first proposed budget in 2019 of $209 billion, so it was unclear where the efficiencies were.
He claimed that his state’s use of AI was not a response to DOGE, but that it had been in the works for six weeks. He cited the creation of an AI tool to speed up rebuilding permits in the fire-ravaged communities of Los Angeles. He also announced the use of AI to improve traffic congestion and government customer service.
Budgetary Context and Challenges
Despite the introduction of these AI initiatives, California continues to grapple with budgetary pressures. The state’s 2025-26 budget, proposed at $322.3 billion, faces challenges due to increased expenditures from destructive wildfires and rising healthcare costs, particularly in the Medi-Cal program. These factors have contributed to a budget shortfall, prompting the need for revised fiscal strategies.
Legal Actions Against Federal Policies
In addition to budgetary concerns, California has initiated legal action against the federal government’s efforts to dismantle AmeriCorps, a move led by DOGE. Governor Newsom announced that California would sue to prevent the termination of its AmeriCorps grant programs, highlighting the state’s commitment to preserving volunteer and service efforts.
Here are the key implications of Governor Gavin Newsom’s AI-driven “DOGE but better” initiative in California:
1. Attempt to Rebrand Bureaucracy Through Tech
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Strategic positioning: Newsom is using AI as a branding tool to show California is forward-thinking and tech-savvy, presenting an alternative to Elon Musk’s federal DOGE initiative.
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Public relations move: The phrase “DOGE but better” suggests a competitive jab, trying to claim moral and operational superiority over federal cost-cutting efforts.
2. Tech Investment Amid Budget Deficits
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Mixed messaging: Launching costly AI partnerships with Accenture, Deloitte, and Anthropic while facing a massive budget shortfall (~$322B) could raise concerns over spending priorities.
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Potential returns vs. current costs: If successful, the AI tools may streamline services (e.g., traffic, healthcare), but critics may see it as speculative spending during a financial crisis.
3. State-Federal Tensions Escalate
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Legal battles: Newsom’s lawsuits (e.g., over AmeriCorps dismantling by DOGE) reflect deeper resistance to federal authority, setting up a battle between progressive state governance and national austerity.
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Political signaling: This conflict reinforces California’s image as a “resistance” state under Democrat leadership, especially as the 2026 political cycle begins to ramp up.
4. Risk of AI Overpromising
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Overhyped outcomes?: While AI is a buzzword, real-world improvements often take years. If these initiatives don’t yield measurable results soon, Newsom may face backlash for chasing headlines over impact.
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Transparency & accountability: Concerns could rise around how these AI contracts are awarded, what data is being used, and whether public services are actually improving.
5. Broader Impact on State Policy Models
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Model for other blue states?: If Newsom’s approach works—even partially—other progressive states may adopt similar AI-focused reforms as an alternative to federal austerity.
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California as a tech-policy lab: This reinforces California’s role as a testing ground for integrating big tech into governance, for better or worse.
Overall Takeaway
Governor Newsom’s “DOGE but better” initiative is a bold attempt to modernize California’s government through AI partnerships while drawing a sharp contrast with federal cost-cutting led by Elon Musk’s DOGE. It showcases California’s ambition to lead in tech-driven governance, but it also exposes the state to criticism for investing in experimental programs amid massive deficits. The move is as much about political posturing as policy—and its success will depend on whether these AI tools deliver real results in a state already struggling with fiscal and public service challenges.
SOURCES: REDSTATE – Stand-Up Comedy: Newsom Claims He’s Doing ‘DOGE but Better’ As California Suffers Massive Deficits
BREITBART – With California Bleeding Cash, Newsom Claims He Does ‘DOGE but Better’
POLITICO – With California Bleeding Cash, Newsom Claims He Does ‘DOGE but Better’
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