California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday signed several artificial intelligence (AI) bills aimed at preventing the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes.
Newsom's signing of the three AI-related bills marks California's latest effort to put guardrails around the advancing technology amid growing concerns about the spread of deepfakes, which are images, audio and video that can be used to digitally alter likeness and voice.
The package of laws would impose new obligations on AI developers and social media companies to prevent irresponsible use of the technology.
“Digital tools like AI have great power, but they also can be used against others,” Newsom said. He said in a statement. “We are working to protect Californians.”
One of the three bills, SB 926, makes it illegal to create and distribute sexually explicit images of real people that appear realistic and cause “severe emotional distress” to a person.
SB 981 would require social media platforms to create a way for users to report sexually explicit deepfakes of themselves, and the companies would have to temporarily block the content while an investigation is conducted.
The third bill, SB 942, would require AI-generated content to come with disclosures to make it easier for users to identify this type of content.
According to Newsom's office, California is home to 32 of the world's “top 50 AI companies,” making it a major home for AI-related legislation. Earlier this week, Newsom signed two other bills aimed at preventing actors and performers' names, images and likenesses from being copied by artificial intelligence without their permission.
Hollywood stars are increasingly speaking out about what they feel is a lack of safety measures surrounding the rapidly evolving technology.
Earlier this month, singer Taylor Swift voiced concerns about the power of technology to deceive people when she endorsed Vice President Harris. She specifically noted that former President Trump shared several fake images of her and fans last month, claiming to have her endorsement.
Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, the labor union that represents actors and broadcasters, praised Governor Newsom for signing the bill this week, saying it will help protect Hollywood's biggest names.
California's governor has yet to sign a major AI regulatory bill known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Cutting-Edge Artificial Intelligence Models Act, which was passed by the state legislature last month. The governor has until September 30 to sign or veto it.
AI startups, big tech companies, researchers and some lawmakers are divided over whether the legislation will stifle development of a rapidly advancing technology or establish much-needed guardrails.
Newsom has faced pressure from both sides of the debate, particularly from Silicon Valley.
The governor has expressed skepticism about throttling AI technology that could bring in big money for California, but he has remained tight-lipped about the bill. Reached for comment on Monday, the governor's office told The Hill that the bill “will be evaluated based on its merits.”
