California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed five significant bills regulating the AI industry, making them some of the strictest AI-related laws in the U.S. These laws are aimed at addressing AI-generated deepfakes, particularly in elections and protecting the rights of Hollywood actors from unauthorized AI cloning.
Three of the new laws focus on AI-generated deepfakes, while the other two prevent Hollywood actors from being digitally cloned using AI without their consent.
1. Deepfake Law – Election Security
This law is designed to combat the spread of misinformation through deepfake videos or images of political figures during election campaigns. It requires social media companies to monitor, label, and create reporting channels for content created using deepfake technology. The law aims to prevent the spread of fake information during election periods.
2. Labeling of Deepfakes in Political Ads
Set to take effect in January 2024, this law mandates that if AI-generated deceptive audio, video, or images are used in political advertisements, they must be labeled as such. This will ensure voters are aware when they encounter AI-generated content in political campaigns.
3. Social Media Deepfake Regulations
Also coming into effect in January 2024, this law imposes clear rules on social media platforms with over 1 million users in California. They are required to investigate complaints about AI-generated content within 72 hours and either label or remove it. Failure to comply gives courts the authority to intervene.
4. Hollywood Actors’ Rights Protection Law
This law prohibits film studios from creating AI-generated digital clones (voices and faces) of actors without their explicit consent. Studios must obtain permission from the actors before using their likeness in digital formats, protecting their rights in the digital age.
5. Regulation of Digital Cloning of Deceased Actors
The final law regulates the use of digital clones of deceased actors. Studios will be required to obtain approval from the heirs of deceased actors before using their voices or likenesses for commercial purposes. This ensures that even after their passing, the rights of these artists are protected.
