California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed two bills aimed at protecting actors and performers from having their names, images and likenesses copied by artificial intelligence without their permission.
“We are committed to not putting names, images and likenesses in the hands of unscrupulous people without representation and union support,” Newsom said. video Posted in X.
One bill would protect actors and performers from binding contracts that allow artificial intelligence to use digital voice or image replicas in place of in-person work, unless they have a representative.
The second law would protect an artist's digital likeness even after their death, meaning entertainment companies would have to get permission from a performer's family or heirs before creating a digital replica.
Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, the labor union that represents performers and networks, echoed the governor's words.
“This is truly a monumental experience. We've worked so hard in TV and theater contract negotiations and the subsequent strikes, and now, with the support of the state of California and all of you, we can be sure that our likenesses and everything else will be protected. This really means a lot,” Drescher said in the video.
She added that Newsom's action will resonate with “people all over the world who feel threatened by AI.”
