CFCE, Lawrence Livermore Partners Release AI Primer for Lawmakers

For Immediate Release
Contact: John Myers
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CFCE, Lawrence Livermore Partners Release AI Primer for Lawmakers

(Jan. 15, 2026) Sacramento, CA - The California Foundation for Commerce & Education, in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF) today released an educational brief on the relationship between AI and California, designed to provide state lawmakers with science-based context as they consider AI policy decisions.

The primer is intended to be a practical, science-based reference to support constructive dialogue among legislators, government officials, industry and the research community and does not advocate for specific legislation or agency actions.

Titled "AI in Eight Pages: Bridging Technology to Policy through Science," the report distills complex technical, economic and societal dimensions of AI into an accessible, unbiased resource to help inform state legislators and government leaders as they navigate fast-moving public debate. The release of the collaborative report and legislative briefing by LLNL AI researchers in Sacramento mark a coordinated effort between a prominent member of California's scientific community and business leaders to aid AI policymaking discussions with the necessary data-driven technical context.

The report was authored by LLNL researchers with funding from LLF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting LLNL's science and research initiatives, and the support of the CFCE - a nonprofit organization affiliated with the California Chamber of Commerce. It is intended to inform state lawmakers as they weigh innovation, economic competitiveness and safeguards around emerging AI technologies. California's position as a global center of AI development gives the state both opportunities and responsibilities, the report notes. With the majority of the nation's AI investment concentrated in California, policy choices made today will likely shape workforce impacts, infrastructure demands and public trust in AI systems.

"AI policy decisions are increasingly time-sensitive and often lack shared technical grounding," said LLNL's Data Science Institute Director Brian Giera, who contributed to the report and co-presented it to lawmakers. "Our goal with this brief is to provide leaders who are navigating the complexity of AI with practical, science-driven information that supports responsible and timely action."

"Understanding the policy dimensions of AI has never been more critical for California's economic future and global competitiveness," said CFCE President Luis Quiñonez. "This groundbreaking collaboration with LLNL represents a unique effort to translate world-class scientific expertise into practical guidance for policymakers. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and legislative decision-making, this report provides California's leaders with the science-based foundation they need to shape responsible AI policy in real-time."

"This highly anticipated report is intended to support informed decision-making by demystifying important topics around how AI systems work, where risks may arise and explore how governance can keep pace with innovation," added Cindy Gonzales, LLNL's Data Science Institute deputy director and report co-author.

The eight-page publication explains why AI adoption has accelerated, outlines economic opportunities across key California sectors and examines risks including bias, misinformation, system failures and security vulnerabilities. It also highlights real-world uses in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, transportation and public services.

Established in 2016, LLF provides mechanisms for public and private investments, grants and philanthropic gifts that support research, innovation, workforce and STEM education initiatives at LLNL.

"The Livermore Lab Foundation exists to champion efforts like this - connecting world-class LLNL science with the public sphere," added LLF Executive Director Sally Allen. "This report is a prime example of how to translate complex AI concepts into actionable insights, fostering better outcomes through a rigorous, science-based approach."

A central theme of the report is the importance of increased and consistent collaboration between technical experts and policymakers. The authors emphasize that effective AI governance involves linking core technical pillars - data, compute, models and deployment - with safeguards that promote transparency, safety and accountability without constraining responsible innovation.

The report was co-authored by LLNL researchers Giera, Gonzales and Caspar Donnison, and is available on the CFCE website.

About CFCE
The California Foundation for Commerce and Education is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization - 501(c)(3) - affiliated with the California Chamber of Commerce. Through providing objective research, CFCE establishes foundational data and insight that empowers informed policy decisions and meaningful progress.