The article discusses a new California law aimed at combating the spread of deceptive ‘deepfakes’ and other AI-manipulated media in the context of elections. The law, which took effect in January 2023, makes it illegal to distribute deceptive audio or visual media that has been manipulated with AI or other technology to falsely depict a candidate for office within 60 days of an election. Violators could face fines of up to $1 million. The law is seen as a first-of-its-kind effort to address the growing threat of deepfakes and AI-manipulated media in elections. However, critics argue that the law could infringe on free speech rights and be difficult to enforce. The article explores the challenges of regulating deepfakes while balancing First Amendment protections, and the potential implications for future elections as AI technology continues to advance.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/california-law-cracking-election-deepfakes-ai-tested-113827836