California takes lead on AI regulation in entertainment: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills into law, backed by SAG-AFTRA, to regulate the use of artificial intelligence-generated performances in the entertainment industry.
Key provisions of the new legislation: The bills aim to protect performers’ rights and consent in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-generated content.
- AB 2602 requires contracts for AI performances to clearly state the intended use, preventing broad likeness rights from automatically granting permission for AI replicas.
- AB 1836 extends these protections to deceased performers, giving their estates the right to consent to AI replicas for 70 years after death.
- The legislation covers a wide range of performances, including voiceover work, commercials, and video game performances, in addition to film and TV.
Industry reactions and implications: The new laws have garnered support from key stakeholders in the entertainment industry.
- SAG-AFTRA, which lobbied for the bills’ passage, sees this as a continuation of the protections won during the 2023 actors’ strike against major studios.
- The Motion Picture Association, initially opposed to the bills, shifted to a neutral stance after amendments were made to protect standard post-production techniques and free speech rights.
- Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of protecting workers while allowing the industry to thrive in the face of AI advancements.
Broader context of AI regulation: California’s move represents part of a larger trend in addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
- Newsom is still considering several other AI bills passed by the California legislature, including one that would impose safety testing requirements on AI developers.
- SAG-AFTRA is pushing for similar legislation at the federal level with the No Fakes Act, which would outlaw non-consensual replicas of anyone, including performers.
- These efforts reflect growing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology and the need for regulatory frameworks to protect individuals’ rights and likenesses.
Looking ahead: Potential national impact: California’s legislation could set a precedent for other states and the federal government in regulating AI in entertainment.
- SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed hope that California’s actions would influence national policy, stating, “They say as California goes, so goes the nation!”
- The entertainment industry’s approach to AI regulation could serve as a model for other sectors grappling with similar issues of consent, likeness rights, and the ethical use of AI-generated content.
Balancing innovation and protection: The new laws highlight the ongoing challenge of fostering technological advancement while safeguarding individual rights.
- By requiring explicit consent for AI replicas, the legislation aims to prevent unauthorized use of performers’ likenesses without stifling innovation in the entertainment industry.
- The bills’ focus on clear contractual language and specific consent for AI use could set a standard for transparency in AI-related agreements across various industries.
Unresolved questions and future challenges: As AI technology continues to evolve, several issues remain to be addressed.
- The effectiveness of these laws in practice and their impact on the creative process in entertainment production remain to be seen.
- The potential need for further legislation to address emerging AI capabilities and unforeseen uses in the entertainment industry and beyond.
- The challenge of enforcing these regulations across state lines and in the global entertainment market.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...