California Lawmakers Approve Wave of AI Regulations to Combat Deepfakes and Worker Replacement

California Takes Bold Steps to Regulate AI: The California Legislature has approved a series of bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, addressing concerns ranging from deepfakes to worker protection and AI literacy.

Key legislative actions: Lawmakers have passed several bills to combat deepfakes, set safety guardrails for AI models, protect workers from AI replacement, and promote AI literacy in education.

• The proposed legislation targets various aspects of AI, including election interference, child protection, and worker rights.
• These bills now await Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision, with a September 30 deadline for his action.
• Newsom has previously expressed caution about overregulation of the AI industry, citing potential economic impacts.

Combating deepfakes: The legislature has approved measures to address the growing concern of AI-generated deceptive content, particularly in elections and child exploitation.

• A bill banning election-related deepfakes requires social media platforms to remove such content within specific timeframes before and after elections.
• Campaigns would be required to disclose the use of AI-altered materials in their advertisements.
• New legislation aims to criminalize the creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse images.
• Tech companies would be mandated to provide AI detection tools to their users.

Safety measures for AI models: California is poised to become a pioneer in establishing comprehensive safety protocols for large AI models.

• Developers would be required to disclose the data used to train their AI models, promoting transparency in the industry.
• State agencies would need to implement safety protocols to prevent algorithmic discrimination before entering into AI-related contracts.

Worker protection measures: The legislature has also focused on safeguarding workers from potential AI-driven job displacement.

• Inspired by the Hollywood actors’ strike, a bill aims to protect voice actors and audiobook performers from being replaced by AI-generated clones.
• Another proposal would ban state and local agencies from using AI to replace call center workers.
• Penalties may be introduced for digitally cloning deceased individuals without consent from their estates.

Promoting AI literacy: Recognizing the growing importance of AI in daily life, lawmakers have passed bills to enhance AI education and awareness.

• A state working group would be tasked with considering the incorporation of AI skills into various school subjects.
• Guidelines for the use of AI in classrooms would be developed to ensure responsible and effective integration.

Broader implications: These legislative actions position California at the forefront of AI regulation in the United States, potentially setting precedents for other states and even federal policy.

• The comprehensive approach addresses multiple facets of AI’s impact on society, from democratic processes to workforce dynamics and education.
• However, the tension between regulation and innovation remains a key consideration, as highlighted by Governor Newsom’s previous statements on potential overregulation.
• The success and implementation of these measures could significantly influence the future development and deployment of AI technologies both within California and beyond.