California Enacts Laws to Combat AI Deepfakes in Political Ads \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed three new laws to prevent the use of artificial intelligence in creating misleading political ads, particularly deepfakes. One law bans the creation and distribution of deepfakes in elections within 120 days before and 60 days after Election Day. The state also requires social media platforms to remove deceptive content and mandates political campaigns to disclose AI-altered materials.
California Tackles Election Deepfakes: Quick Looks
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills to regulate AI’s use in political ads ahead of the 2024 election.
- One law bans election-related deepfakes starting 120 days before and lasting 60 days after Election Day.
- Social media platforms are required to remove deceptive AI-generated content under a first-in-the-nation law set for 2024.
- Political campaigns must disclose if their ads contain AI-altered content.
- California has been a leader in regulating AI, introducing similar legislation in 2019.
- The state’s measures could serve as blueprints for other states seeking to regulate AI in politics.
- Newsom signed the bills during a Salesforce event in San Francisco, emphasizing California’s proactive role in AI governance.
- The laws were enacted the same day Congress introduced federal legislation to address election deepfakes.
Deep Look:
California Governor Gavin Newsom has intensified efforts to safeguard elections from the rising threat of artificial intelligence-generated disinformation by signing three new bills aimed at curbing the use of deepfakes in political ads. The new laws, signed Tuesday, set stringent restrictions on creating and distributing altered images or videos designed to mislead voters in the months leading up to an election.
One of the key measures, which takes effect immediately, makes it illegal to create or publish deepfakes related to elections during a 120-day period before Election Day and extends to 60 days afterward. Courts now have the power to intervene and halt the distribution of these manipulated materials, while civil penalties can be imposed on violators.
“Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy,” Newsom said in a statement, highlighting the need to prevent AI from being used to undermine public trust. The governor emphasized that, in today’s politically charged environment, it is critical to combat disinformation, particularly through deepfakes in political ads. The new laws, according to Newsom, reflect California’s proactive stance in promoting transparency and trust in the use of AI.
The bills signed by Newsom also introduce groundbreaking regulations for social media platforms. Starting next year, large platforms will be required to swiftly remove any deceptive AI-generated political content, a measure that is the first of its kind in the United States. Furthermore, political campaigns in California will now have to publicly disclose if their advertisements contain AI-altered materials. This law aims to ensure voters can trust the authenticity of political messaging in an era where generative AI can produce highly convincing fake content.
Governor Newsom signed these bills during an appearance at Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, where he was in conversation with CEO Marc Benioff. The event drew loud applause as Newsom reinforced California’s leadership in AI governance. Since becoming the first state to ban election-related manipulated media in 2019, California has consistently set the pace for AI-related regulations that are now being adopted or considered by lawmakers across the country.
The rise of AI-generated deepfakes presents a unique challenge to elections worldwide, as these technologies allow for the creation of highly convincing false videos and images that can easily spread disinformation. Concerned about the potential for deepfakes to influence election outcomes and erode public trust, lawmakers nationwide have raced to address the issue.
“With fewer than 50 days until the general election, there is an urgent need to protect against misleading, digitally-altered content that can interfere with the election,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who authored one of the laws banning deepfakes in elections. “California is taking a stand against the manipulative use of deepfake technology to deceive voters.”
Newsom’s actions come after his July pledge to tackle election-related deepfakes, spurred in part by a video shared by X-owner Elon Musk. The altered video featured Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and raised concerns about the growing influence of AI in political misinformation. The new laws aim to ensure that AI-generated content will not be allowed to distort the 2024 elections.
The timing of California’s deepfake regulations coincides with the introduction of similar federal legislation in Congress. The newly proposed federal bill seeks to grant the Federal Election Commission (FEC) the authority to regulate AI in elections, similar to its long-standing oversight of other forms of political misrepresentation. The FEC has already taken steps in this direction, banning AI-generated robocalls designed to mislead voters earlier this year.
Governor Newsom has repeatedly positioned California as a forward-thinking state on AI matters. Beyond election integrity, the governor has touted AI’s potential to improve state functions, suggesting the use of generative AI tools to ease highway congestion and provide tax assistance. Still, his administration is also exploring further safeguards, such as protections against AI discrimination in hiring practices.
In addition to the election-related legislation, Newsom signed two other bills on Tuesday to protect Hollywood performers from unauthorized use of AI to manipulate their likenesses without consent. These laws reflect growing concerns in the entertainment industry about how AI technology could exploit the images and performances of actors without fair compensation or permission.
With AI technologies evolving rapidly, California’s new legislation underscores the importance of government action to address the implications of this powerful tool. As lawmakers and regulators at the state and federal levels work to ensure AI is used responsibly, the measures signed by Newsom offer a roadmap for other states looking to prevent AI from distorting democratic processes.
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