California Enacts Sweeping AI Laws Targeting Deepfakes and Digital Replications

Governor Newsom signs nine new AI-related bills addressing deepfakes, robocalls, and digital replicas, with more legislation under consideration.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed nine AI-related bills into law, including measures to combat deepfake nudes, robocalls, and election misinformation.
New laws require AI-generated robocalls to disclose their nature and mandate social media platforms to remove or label election-related deepfakes.
Legislation also protects actors by requiring studios to obtain consent before creating AI replicas of their voice or likeness, and prohibits digital replicas of deceased performers without estate approval.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has criticized the new laws, arguing they could infringe on First Amendment rights by affecting satire and parody.
California joins 19 other states in regulating AI in elections, with additional bills still under consideration as the state navigates the challenges of AI technology.