California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills Tuesday to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create false images or videos in political ads ahead of the 2024 election.
One new law, set to take effect immediately, makes it illegal to create and publish deepfakes related to elections 120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. It also allows courts to stop the distribution of the materials and impose civil penalties.
The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has also started to consider such regulations after outlawing AI-generated robocalls aimed to discourage voters in February.
Large social media platforms are also required to remove the deceptive material under a first-in-the-nation law set to be enacted next year. Newsom also signed a bill requiring political campaigns to publicly disclose if they are running ads with materials altered by AI.
The new California laws come the same day as members of Congress unveiled federal legislation aiming to stop election deepfakes. The bill would give the Federal Election Commission the power to regulate the use of AI in elections in the same way it has regulated other political misrepresentations for decades.
Gov. Newsom also signed two other bills Tuesday to protect Hollywood performers from unauthorized AI use without their consent. The bills were inspired by the Hollywood actors’ strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers.
Gov. Newsom was joined by SAG/AFTRA President Fran Drescher, SAGAFTRA National Secretary/Treasurer Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.