California’s New Laws Could Kill Election Deepfakes in Your Social Feeds

California takes legislative action against AI-generated election misinformation: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed three bills into law aimed at combating the spread of deepfakes and AI-generated content during elections, positioning the state as a leader in AI regulation.

Key provisions of AB 2839: This bill expands existing protections against deceptive AI-generated election materials and introduces stricter timelines for enforcement.

• Distribution of AI-generated election content is prohibited within 120 days before an election and 60 days after.
• Officials and candidates are granted the right to sue in order to prevent the distribution of such materials.
• The bill is set to take effect before the 2024 presidential election, providing immediate safeguards against potential AI-driven misinformation campaigns.

Transparency requirements under AB 2355: Starting January 2025, this legislation mandates disclosure of AI use in political advertising.

• Candidates will be required to explicitly state when their campaign advertisements utilize AI-generated content.
• This measure aims to increase transparency and help voters distinguish between authentic and artificially created campaign materials.

Social media platform responsibilities outlined in AB 2655: Also effective from January 2025, this bill places new obligations on large social media companies to address AI deepfakes.

• Platforms must establish mechanisms to receive and process complaints about AI-generated content.
• Upon receiving a complaint, companies have 72 hours to either label or remove AI deepfakes.
• The law provides candidates and officials with legal recourse if their complaints are not adequately addressed.
• An exception is made for content clearly intended as satire or parody, preserving space for protected speech.

California’s leadership in AI regulation: The state’s proactive approach to AI legislation sets a precedent for other states and potentially federal lawmakers.

• While California is at the forefront, 24 other states have either passed or are considering similar laws to address AI-generated content in elections.
• Governor Newsom has also signed bills protecting actors from unauthorized AI reproduction of their likeness, further expanding the state’s AI regulatory framework.

Pending legislation and broader implications: The governor’s decision on an additional AI-related bill could further shape California’s stance on artificial intelligence.

• SB 1047, described as controversial, awaits Newsom’s signature or veto.
• The outcome of this bill could have significant implications for AI regulation in California and potentially influence similar efforts nationwide.

Balancing innovation and protection: California’s legislative actions reflect the complex challenge of regulating rapidly evolving AI technologies.

• These laws aim to protect the integrity of elections and individual rights while still allowing for technological innovation.
• The effectiveness of these measures will likely be closely watched by policymakers and tech industry leaders as AI continues to advance and integrate into various aspects of society.