California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday signed multiple artificial intelligence (AI) bills aimed at preventing the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes.
Newsom’s signature on the three AI-related bills marks the Golden State’s latest efforts to place guardrails on the advancing technology amid concerns over the spread of deepfakes, which can generate images, audio, video and digitally alter likeness and voices.
The set of laws establishes new mandates for AI developers and social media companies to prevent irresponsible use of the technology.
“We’re in an era where digital tools like AI have immense capabilities, but they can also be abused against other people,” Newsom said in a statement. “We’re stepping up to protect Californians.”
One of the three laws — SB 926 — makes it illegal to create and circulate sexually explicit images of a real person that appear real and cause the person “serious emotional distress.”
SB 981 mandates social media platforms create ways for users to report sexually explicit deepfakes of themselves, to which the companies must temporarily block the content while an investigation takes place.
The third bill, SB 942, requires AI-generated content to come with a disclosure for users to more easily be able to identify this type of content.
California is home to 32 of the world’s “50 leading AI companies,” according to Newsom’s office, and has become a major hub for AI-related legislation as a result. Earlier this week, Newsom signed two other bills aimed at protecting actors and performers from having their names, images and likenesses copied by artificial intelligence without authorization.
A flurry of Hollywood stars has begun speaking out about what they feel is a lack of safeguards surrounding the rapidly developing technology.
In her endorsement of Vice President Harris earlier this month, megastar Taylor Swift cited her concerns about the technology’s power to deceive people. She specifically noted how former President Trump shared several fake images of her and her fans last month, claiming he had her support.
Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, a labor union representing performers and broadcasters, applauded Newsom’s signing of the bills this week, stating they will help ensure the protection of Hollywood figures.
The California governor has yet to sign a major AI regulation bill, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, which passed in the state Legislature last month. He must sign or veto it by Sept. 30.
AI startups, major technology firms, researchers and some lawmakers are divided over whether the legislation would throttle the development of the quickly advancing technology or establish much-needed guardrails.
Newsom is facing pressure from both sides of the argument, especially from those in Silicon Valley.
The governor has indicated skepticism about reining in AI technology, which could bring large amounts of money to the Golden State, but he has remained tight-lipped about the bill. When reached for comment on Monday, the governor’s office told The Hill the measure “will be evaluated on its merits.”