SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed three bills aimed at cracking down on criminal use of artificial intelligence. False images and videos in political ads Ahead of the 2024 elections.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, makes it illegal to create or publish election-related deepfakes 120 days before and 60 days after Election Day, and also allows courts to block the distribution of the material and impose civil penalties.
“Protecting the integrity of our elections is essential to our democracy, and it is critical that we ensure AI is not used to undermine public trust through disinformation, especially in today’s tense political climate,” Governor Newsom said in a statement. “These measures will help combat the harmful use of deepfakes in political ads and other content. This is one of several areas where the state is actively working to promote transparent and trustworthy AI.”
Major social media platforms will also be required to remove false content under a first-of-its-kind law that is set to take effect next year, and Governor Newsom also signed a bill requiring political campaigns to disclose if they run ads with content altered by AI.
The governor signed the bill to thunderous applause during a conversation with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff at an event hosted during the software giant’s annual conference in San Francisco.
The new law reaffirms California’s position as a leader in regulating AI in the US, particularly in combating election deep fakes. California is the first US state to do so. No edited videos or photos allowed Technology and AI measures proposed by California lawmakers in connection with the 2019 elections are being used as a blueprint for lawmakers across the country, industry experts said.
AI poses growing threats to elections Disinformation Lawmakers across the world have warned that the doctored documents undermine public trust in what they see and hear.
“With less than 50 days until the general election, we urgently need protections from misleading, digitally altered content that could harm our elections,” state Assemblyman Gail Pellerin, author of the bill to ban election deepfakes, said in a statement. “California is taking a stand against the misuse of deepfake technology to deceive voters.”
Newsom’s decision was in accordance with his oath. July The US Congress has announced it will crack down on election deepfakes following a video posted by X-Pictures owner Elon Musk that featured an altered image of Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
California’s new law will take effect on the same day as the lawmakers’ bill. Federal bill unveiled The bill aims to stop deep fakes in elections. Federal Election Commission The Federal Election Commission has the power to regulate the use of AI in elections in the same way that it has regulated other political misrepresentations for decades. have begun to consider such regulations. Post-illegalization AI-generated robocalls The aim was to discourage people from voting in February.
Governor Newsom touted California as both an early adopter and regulator of AI. Generative AI tools are readily available While addressing highway congestion and providing tax guidance, the administration New Rules Oppose AI discrimination in recruitment activities.
He also signed two other bills on Tuesday. Protecting Hollywood actors Protect against unauthorized use of AI without consent.
