California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of laws aimed at curbing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create deceptive political content, such as deepfake images and videos, ahead of the 2024 election.
The legislation, passed on Tuesday, is designed to prevent the spread of misinformation that could undermine voter trust and disrupt the electoral process.
One of the new laws, effective immediately, makes it illegal to produce or distribute AI-generated deepfakes related to elections within 120 days before Election Day and 60 days afterward. Courts will also have the authority to block the spread of these materials and impose civil penalties. Another key provision requires social media platforms to remove the deceptive content, marking a first-in-the-nation law set to take effect next year. Additionally, political campaigns will be mandated to disclose the use of AI in advertisements under another law.
“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,” Newsom said in a statement.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and trust in today’s politically charged climate.
The governor signed the bills during an event in San Francisco, where he discussed AI’s potential and risks with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. The legislation solidifies California’s role as a leader in AI regulation, especially in tackling the threat of election-related deepfakes. The state had already set a precedent in 2019 by banning manipulated election content, which has since become a model for other states.
The move comes amid increasing concerns that AI-generated deepfakes could further erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“California is taking a stand against the manipulative use of deepfake technology to deceive voters,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who authored one of the laws.
Federal lawmakers are also working to address the issue, with a proposed bill that would give the Federal Election Commission the authority to regulate AI’s use in elections. The laws are expected to face legal challenges from social media companies and free speech advocates, raising questions about how to balance regulation with First Amendment protections.
With input from the Associated Press, Newsweek, and the New York Times.
