California passes 9 landmark AI content regulation bills

California takes legislative action on AI: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed nine bills into law, addressing various risks associated with AI-generated content, particularly deepfakes, while 29 more AI-related bills await his decision by September 30.

• The new legislation covers a range of issues, including protecting performers’ digital likenesses, combating the misuse of AI-generated content, and addressing deepfakes in election campaigns.
• These laws represent a significant step in regulating AI technology and its potential impacts on society, entertainment, and politics.

Protecting performers and their digital rights: Two of the signed bills focus on safeguarding actors and performers from unauthorized use of their digital likenesses.

• AB 2602 mandates contracts for AI-generated deepfakes of performers, ensuring professional representation in such agreements.
• AB 1836 prohibits the unauthorized commercial use of deepfakes featuring deceased performers, protecting their legacy and image rights posthumously.

Combating AI-generated content misuse: Three bills aim to address the potential misuse of AI-generated content, particularly in sexually explicit material.

• SB 926 criminalizes the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes intended to cause distress, providing legal recourse for victims of such content.
• SB 981 requires social media platforms to implement reporting mechanisms for sexually explicit deepfakes, enhancing user protection and content moderation.
• SB 942 mandates generative AI systems to watermark their content and provide detection tools, increasing transparency and accountability in AI-generated media.

Safeguarding election integrity: Four bills focus on mitigating the risks of deepfakes in political campaigns and election-related content.

• AB 2655 requires large platforms to remove or label deceptive political content around elections, helping to maintain the integrity of electoral information.
• AB 2839 expands the timeframe prohibiting deceptive AI-generated political ads, providing broader protection against misinformation.
• AB 2355 mandates disclosure of AI-generated content in political advertisements, promoting transparency in campaign messaging.
• AB 2905 requires robocalls to disclose if the voice used is AI-generated, preventing potential voter manipulation through deceptive automated calls.

Governor’s stance on AI regulation: Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of these bills in protecting workers in the entertainment industry, preventing online threats, and safeguarding election integrity.

• The governor’s actions demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI technology.
• Newsom’s support for these bills indicates a commitment to balancing technological innovation with necessary safeguards for individuals and society.

Pending legislation and future considerations: While nine bills have been signed, 29 more AI-related bills await Governor Newsom’s decision by September 30.

• One notable pending bill, SB 1047, proposes requiring AI safeguards against potential disasters, highlighting the broader scope of AI regulation being considered.
• The large number of pending bills suggests that California’s lawmakers are taking a comprehensive approach to AI regulation, addressing various aspects of the technology’s impact on society.

Implications for the tech industry and beyond: California’s new laws set a precedent for AI regulation that may influence other states and countries.

• The tech industry, particularly companies developing AI and social media platforms, will need to adapt their practices to comply with these new regulations.
• These laws may spark further debate on the balance between innovation and regulation in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.