Gov. Newsom Backs Bills to Curb Deepfake Election Content

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on X (formerly Twitter) his intention to sign legislation that would crack down on the use of AI in campaign ads. This announcement followed Elon Musk's reposting of an altered video ad featuring Vice President Kamala Harris with an AI-generated voiceover.

Tension Between Regulation and Free Speech

Newsom's statement highlights the tension between regulating AI in elections and upholding First Amendment rights. He emphasized the need for legal measures against voice and video manipulation in campaign ads, stating, “Manipulating a voice in an ‘ad’ like this one should be illegal. I’ll be signing a bill in a matter of weeks to make sure it is.”

Musk responded by asserting that “parody is legal in America,” showcasing the challenges legislators face in defining and regulating AI-generated content.

Expert Insight

Sarah Roberts, a professor of information studies at UCLA, pointed out the complexities in such legislation. She noted that Musk's video was a parody, not an official campaign ad, raising questions about the scope of proposed laws. Roberts stressed the importance of regulation to maintain a trustworthy information landscape around elections, despite potential First Amendment challenges.

Legislative Actions

Several bills are being considered to address AI in elections. AB 2355, authored by Asm. Wendy Carrillo, would require campaign ads using AI-generated content to disclose this fact. AB 2655, authored by Asm. Marc Berman, mandates that large online platforms block “materially deceptive content” related to elections and label certain content as “inauthentic, fake, or false” around election times.

Broader Implications

Roberts highlighted the potential dangers of AI in elections, such as generating fake “leaked audio” recordings of candidates. She emphasized that AI-related election issues are bipartisan and urged lawmakers to address them urgently to protect democracy.

Next Steps

The current legislative session ends on August 31, and Newsom's spokesperson confirmed that the administration is working with the Legislature to address AI in elections through ongoing legislation.