California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of groundbreaking laws aimed at curbing the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the realms of deepfakes, election interference, and political advertising. The new legislation, signed during the Dreamforce 2024 conference in San Francisco, is a significant step toward regulating the fast-evolving AI landscape, which has raised growing concerns about privacy, security, and the potential for misuse.
The three bills were signed into law during an interview between Governor Newsom and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. The decision follows the increasing use of AI-generated deepfakes, which have been used to clone actors, performers, and even political figures, raising alarms about their potential impact on elections and personal privacy.
Cracking Down on Deepfakes and Election Interference
Deepfakes—AI-generated photos, videos, and audio that convincingly mimic real people—have become a major concern as their potential to deceive grows more sophisticated. One of the newly signed laws directly addresses this issue by requiring major online platforms to quickly remove any deepfake content that targets voters. This law is aimed at protecting the integrity of elections by preventing the spread of false information that could manipulate voter perceptions.
“Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy,” Newsom said after signing the bills. He emphasized the importance of staying ahead of technology that could be exploited to undermine trust in the political process.
In addition to voter protection, the law also mandates that social media platforms remove deceptive deepfake content beginning in 2025. This requirement aims to ensure that platforms take greater responsibility for policing their content, helping to prevent the spread of malicious AI-manipulated media.
Transparency in Political Campaigns
The third bill focuses on political transparency, requiring campaigns to disclose if they are using AI-generated or altered content in their advertisements. As AI becomes more integrated into marketing and political strategy, this law ensures that voters are made aware when AI tools are used to enhance or manipulate political messaging.
The law addresses growing concerns that AI could be used to distort reality in political ads, making it difficult for the public to discern what is real and what has been artificially generated. By mandating transparency, California is positioning itself at the forefront of AI regulation in the political sphere.
California Leading the Charge in AI Regulation
With these laws, California is taking bold steps to regulate the use of AI, particularly in areas where the technology poses a risk to democracy and personal rights. The state’s proactive approach signals a growing awareness of the need to address the ethical and legal challenges presented by AI advancements. Governor Newsom’s signing of the bills reflects a broader push to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly.
The emergence of AI technologies like deepfakes has sparked debates across the globe about how to balance innovation with regulation. While AI holds tremendous potential in fields like healthcare, entertainment, and education, its capacity for creating highly realistic yet fabricated media has led to concerns about its misuse in spreading misinformation, influencing elections, and damaging reputations.
Looking Ahead: Enforcement and Impact
The laws are set to take effect in 2025, with enforcement measures being crafted to ensure compliance. Social media platforms, online publishers, and political campaigns will need to adopt new protocols to meet the legal requirements. Analysts expect other states to look to California as a model for how to handle the regulation of AI in their own jurisdictions.
As AI continues to evolve, California’s efforts to protect its citizens from unauthorized use of the technology could influence national and global policies. By addressing the challenges posed by AI early on, the state is setting a precedent for how governments can create safeguards without stifling technological progress.
