At a recent signing ceremony, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a series of new laws targeting the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, which are among the strictest in the nation. These new regulations encompass five provisions, three of which specifically address AI deepfake technologies that could influence elections, while the other two deal with the cloning of voices and images of Hollywood actors.
Image source: Generated by AI, authorized by Midjourney
The new law AB2655 mandates that large online platforms, such as Facebook and X, must remove or flag AI deepfake content related to elections and provide reporting channels. This means that if these platforms fail to comply with the law, candidates and public officials can seek legal recourse to ensure compliance.
Next, the new law 2355 requires the disclosure of AI-generated political ads. This regulation may prompt some candidates to be more cautious when releasing AI deepfake content.
For instance, Trump may not be able to casually post fake videos on social media of Taylor Swift endorsing him, as she actually supports Harris. On a national level, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also proposed similar disclosure requirements and has deemed robocalls using AI-generated voices illegal.
The final two new laws, AB2602 and AB1836, were passed with the backing of the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The new law AB2602 stipulates that production companies must obtain actors' consent before creating AI clones of their voices or images. Meanwhile, AB1836 prohibits the creation of digital replicas of deceased actors without the consent of their estates. This provision aims to protect the rights of deceased actors and prevent the unauthorized use of their images.
In addition to these new laws, Governor Newsom is currently considering several other AI-related bills, with the most notable being SB1047.
This bill has sparked controversy, with opponents arguing that it could negatively impact the open-source community. During a conversation with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Newsom expressed concerns about the bill. He has two weeks to decide whether to sign or veto the bill.
Key Points:
🗳️ California's new law requires large online platforms to remove or flag AI deepfake content related to elections.
📢 Political ads must disclose AI-generated information to ensure voters' right to know.
🎭 Hollywood regulations require production companies to obtain actors' consent before creating AI clones.
