SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A new California bill is aiming to prevent companies from using artificial intelligence-powered robots as bosses who can fire human employees. State Senator Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) introduced SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, on Monday. The legislation would bar California employers from relying solely on a type of AI, known as automated decision-making systems (ADS), to fire or discipline workers. It would also require human oversight when employers use ADS to assist in termination and disciplinary decisions. In addition, SB 947 would prohibit companies from using ADS systems that tap into employees' personal information trying to predict what they’ll do in the future. "Employers are increasingly using AI to boost productivity and achieve cost-savings, but there are no safeguards in place to prevent harm to workers," said McNerney. Tesla to build 1 million Optimus robots per year at Fremont factory, Musk says "SB 947 establishes commonsense guardrails to ensure that California businesses are not relying on robo bosses to fire or discipline workers. AI must remain a tool controlled by humans, not the other way around," McNerney said. ADS, like other types of artificial intelligence, is prone to errors, the senator said. Latest round of tech layoffs reignites talk of ‘jobs recession’ McNerney's legislation calls for safeguarding human employees in the workplace by: Barring employers from relying solely on ADS to make firing or disciplinary decisions. Requiring human oversight and independent verification for termination and disciplinary decisions. Prohibiting the use of ADS for predictive behavior analysis of workers. Mandating employers to inform workers if they have used ADS in termination or disciplinary decisions. ...read more read less