California lawmakers have approved a series of bills this week aimed at regulating the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, combating the rise of deepfakes, and safeguarding workers from exploitation by rapidly advancing technology. As the legislative session comes to a close, the Democratic-controlled California Legislature is pushing through hundreds of proposals, all of which must be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom by Saturday.
Governor Newsom, who has until September 30 to sign, veto, or let the bills become law without his signature, has already indicated his intention to support a proposal targeting election-related deepfakes. However, he has not yet commented on the other AI-related legislation. While Newsom has expressed concerns about the potential risks of overregulating the state's homegrown tech industry, he has also cited budgetary constraints as a reason for rejecting certain proposals in the past.
One of the key focuses of the newly approved bills is the growing threat posed by deepfakes—AI-generated content designed to deceive viewers. With concerns mounting over the use of AI to manipulate voters and produce deepfake pornography, particularly involving minors, California lawmakers have taken decisive action.
The Legislature has passed a bill that would ban deepfakes related to elections, requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive material 120 days before and 60 days after an election. Additionally, political campaigns would be required to disclose publicly if any of their ads contain AI-altered content.
In a further effort to address the dangers posed by AI-generated content, lawmakers also approved proposals to make it illegal to create or distribute AI-generated images or videos depicting child sexual abuse. Current laws do not allow prosecutors to charge individuals for possessing or sharing AI-generated child sexual abuse material if the content does not depict a real person. The new legislation aims to close this legal loophole, enabling district attorneys to take action against those involved in producing or distributing such content.
These legislative moves reflect California's proactive stance on AI regulation as the state grapples with the challenges posed by the fast-evolving technology. As the session draws to a close, all eyes will be on Governor Newsom to see how he handles these significant proposals.
