Los Angeles
AI Assisted Icon
Published on September 18, 2024
California Governor Signs Landmark Legislation to Combat Deepfake Election InterferenceSource: Bureau of Reclamation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In a decisive move to safeguard the authenticity of the electoral process, California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a trio of bills squarely aimed at the malicious use of deepfakes and digitally manipulated content in political campaigns. Governor Newsom declared, "Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy, and it's critical that we ensure AI is not deployed to undermine the public’s trust through disinformation – especially in today’s fraught political climate," according to a statement on the official state government website. The legislation strives to bolster transparency and accountability among online platforms and to keep California voters correctly informed.

With AB 2655, Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) pushes online platforms to actively remove or adequately label any deceptive, AI-altered content related to elections during critical timeframes. "AI-generated deepfakes pose a clear and present risk to our elections and our democracy. AB 2655 is a first-in-the-nation solution to this growing threat," Berman told the government press. The bill provides a framework for various stakeholders, including candidates and legal officials, to quickly seek judicial intervention should online platforms fail to comply.

AB 2839, introduced by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz), extends the period during which it’s prohibited to knowingly distribute election advertisements or material that contains manipulative AI-generated content. Referencing the immediacy of the issue, Pellerin stated, "With fewer than 50 days until the general election, there is an urgent need to protect against misleading, digitally-altered content that can interfere with the election." Details provided in the government announcement clarify how this bill fortifies existing laws to cover a broader range of deceptive content involving public figures in the electoral process.

Lastly, AB 2355, by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), mandates explicitly that electoral advertisements using AI-altered content prominently feature a disclosure indicating such alterations. Carrillo reinforced the essence of the measure, emphasizing, "Voters must be informed when generative AI is used in political advertising to substantially alter media or create misleading content," as stated during a government briefing. This law entrusts the Fair Political Practices Commission with the authority to enforce disclosure regulations and pursue compliance through the Political Reform Act.

California, often considered the cradle of cutting-edge AI technology, continues to pioneer in the domain of digital ethics and regulation. In recent efforts to balance innovation with responsible oversight, the state launched an AI collaboration with NVIDIA and convened an AI summit to examine the technology's potential benefits for its residents. In alignment with an executive order from last year, Governor Newsom’s administration remains steadfast in steering the development of AI towards equitable and accountable applications that align with democratic values.