Paul Brest Hall at Stanford was jammed with people this week as hundreds of actors, writers, musicians and digital artists showed up to tell lawmakers they are done being kept in the dark about how artificial intelligence is trained on their work. From longtime union members to solo digital creators, the crowd framed AI training-data practices as a fast-moving threat to their livelihoods and control over their creative output.
The hearing, convened by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), was described by organizers as the largest public push so far for state-level AI rules, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Supporters said the gathering was meant to build momentum behind AB 412, a California bill designed to shine light on what goes into generative AI training sets and how developers respond when creators ask questions.
What AB 412 Would Require
The bill text spells out a series of disclosure duties for companies that build generative AI systems, according to California Legislative Information. Developers would have to document copyrighted materials used for training and set up a web-based process that lets copyright owners submit written requests asking whether their works were included.
If a creator’s work was used, the developer would have to provide a comprehensive list within seven days. If it was not, the company would need to say so within 30 days. The draft bill also requires that training documentation be kept on file for the entire commercial life of a model plus 10 additional years.
Why Performers Showed Up
Union leaders and working performers lined up to tell lawmakers that basic transparency is now a survival issue for careers built on voice, likeness and performance. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin, a professional actor for more than four decades, put it bluntly in prepared remarks: "I've been a professional actor for 44 years, and it is simply not OK for companies to use the results of my work without me knowing." Union officials argued that without visibility into how AI systems scrape and train on creative works, artists cannot realistically negotiate pay or prevent abusive uses of their labor, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Tech Pushback and Startup Concerns
Not everyone in the room, or watching the bill, is cheering. Technology industry representatives and several policy groups have raised alarms that AB 412 could saddle developers with heavy compliance costs and force them to reveal too much about how their systems are built. Critics argue that the combination of detailed disclosure and documentation rules might be expensive to follow and could give away sensitive information about training pipelines or licensing structures.
Some trade groups and tech advocates warn that in practice, the largest incumbent companies might be the only ones able to comfortably absorb those costs, which could leave smaller startups at a disadvantage, according to CyberNews.
Tilly Norwood and the Wider Debate
For many performers in the hall, the debate was not abstract. They pointed to high-profile flashpoints like Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated character that triggered a wave of backlash and union criticism when it was unveiled earlier this year. Coverage in outlets including TheWrap and Vox details how a single synthetic performer has sent ripples through casting offices, talent agencies and recent contract negotiations.
Legal Notes
On the enforcement side, AB 412 would let copyright owners bring civil lawsuits if developers do not follow the law. The draft includes statutory remedies, including monetary damages, along with potential injunctive relief and attorney fee awards. Those civil-remedy provisions and the damages framework are laid out in the published bill text and tracking materials, per LegiScan.
Supporters at the Stanford hearing said the strong turnout was also meant to keep pressure on as Congress weighs its own AI-related proposals, including the bipartisan NO FAKES Act. The status of AB 412, along with its committee history, can be followed through the state legislature’s official portal at California Legislative Information, while the federal bill’s progress is available via Congress.gov.
