California Bans AI Deepfake Use in Political Advertisements

With the November general election looming, California Gov. Gavin Newsom took a stand against the use of deepfakes in campaign ads by signing three bills into law. Newsom emphasized the importance of preserving election integrity in the face of AI-enabled disinformation. These measures aim to combat the harmful effects of deepfakes, particularly in the realm of political ads.

The first bill, introduced by assemblymember Marc Berman, mandates online platforms to remove or label deceptive election-related content and provides recourse for non-compliance. Berman highlighted the real threat posed by AI-generated deepfakes to the democratic process and praised the legislation as a groundbreaking solution.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin's bill extends the prohibition on distributing misleading AI-manipulated content. This legislation expands the protection against deceptive election material, granting affected parties the ability to take legal action against distribution.

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo's bill requires campaign ads featuring AI-altered content to disclose such alterations. This law empowers the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce disclosure requirements, emphasizing the need for transparency in political advertising.

The rapid advancement of AI technologies has made it easier to create convincing deepfakes, warranting urgent action to protect the democratic process. While respecting free speech and political expression, it is imperative to inform voters of the use of generative AI in political advertising to prevent the spread of misinformation. Balancing the benefits of artificial intelligence with the importance of upholding democratic values is crucial in safeguarding elections from the influence of deceptive content.