California governor enacts legislation to address AI-generated deepfakes in elections

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed three bills aimed at preventing the use of artificial intelligence to produce misleading images or videos in political advertisements leading up to the 2024 election. One of the laws immediately prohibits the creation and dissemination of deepfakes related to elections 120 days before Election Day and for 60 days after. Courts can intervene to halt the spread of such content and enforce penalties under this law.

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of ensuring the integrity of elections and preventing AI from being misused to spread disinformation, especially in the current tense political climate. Social media platforms will be mandated to remove deceptive content under a pioneering statewide law set to take effect next year. Additionally, political campaigns must disclose if their ads contain AI-altered materials.

During an event with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in San Francisco, Governor Newsom received cheers as he signed the bills, solidifying California’s position as a trailblazer in AI regulation in the United States, particularly regarding combating election-related deepfakes. The state previously banned manipulated videos and images related to elections in 2019, serving as a model for other states.

In response to the increasing threat of election-related disinformation fueled by AI globally, lawmakers nationwide are swiftly addressing the issue to safeguard public trust in information dissemination. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, the architect of the law banning election deepfakes, stressed the urgency to combat digitally altered misleading content ahead of the upcoming general election.

Governor Newsom’s legislative actions follow his commitment in July to combat election deepfakes after a manipulated video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris circulated online. These new California laws coincide with federal legislation proposed by members of Congress to regulate AI use in elections, granting the Federal Election Commission authority similar to its oversight of other political misrepresentations for decades.

Governor Newsom has positioned California as both an innovator and regulator in AI development, suggesting potential deployment of generative AI tools for traffic congestion and tax guidance. Furthermore, Newsom also signed two additional bills on Tuesday to safeguard Hollywood performers from unauthorized AI exploitation without their consent.