California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills on Sunday to protect minors from harmful sexual images of children created through the misuse of artificial intelligence tools.
Supporters of the bill argue that current law would allow district attorneys to charge those who possess or distribute AI-generated images of child sexual abuse if they cannot prove that the material depicts a real person. He claims he is not authorized to prosecute. Under the new law, such crimes would be considered felonies.
Last month, Newsom signed a bill regulating AI-generated “deepfake” election content and mandating the removal of “deceptive content” from social media. This law is currently being challenged in court.
The governor's office said the new law builds on legislation passed several years ago regulating campaign advertising and communications.
Newsom's deepfake election law is already being challenged in federal court
Newsom has touted California as an early adopter and regulator of AI technology. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images, File)
The law makes it illegal to create and publish deepfakes before Election Day and 60 days after Election Day. The move would also allow courts to halt distribution of the materials and impose civil penalties, according to the Associated Press.
Newsom also signed two other bills aimed at protecting women and teenage girls from revenge porn, sexual exploitation and harassment enabled by AI tools.
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Newsom touted California as both an early adopter and regulator of AI technology, even as the state considers new rules against AI discrimination in employment practices. He said generative AI tools could soon be introduced to tackle highway congestion and provide tax guidance.
Fox News' Jamie Joseph and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
