The proposal would require a disclosure similar to requirements to disclose message approval and funding of an ad.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In an election year, attack ads are nothing new. What is new, however, are ads depicting candidates using artificial intelligence.
The use of AI in political campaigns is drawing backlash, and in Pennsylvania, it’s now drawing a proposal to scale it back.
State Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) is proposing a bill that would require disclosure for any political ads that use AI, saying voters deserve to know whether what they’re seeing in political discussions and arguments is real.
“Folks are getting confused as to, ‘Is it real? Is it not real?’” Williams said. “I think there’s already a lot of distrust in government and campaigns and elected officials. And so, if we can get on the front end of saying, ‘Hey, here’s some disclosure,’ so you know what is AI, what is fake, what is real [and] what did that candidate say or do. Then, you can judge accordingly.”
The proposal is joined by Republican State Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe), who told FOX43 News in a statement that transparency is essential.
“Transparency is fundamental in public service. As technology evolves, it is important that voters know exactly what they are seeing and hearing in political advertisements,” Brown said. “I am supportive of this effort because when artificial intelligence is used, it should be disclosed. Voters deserve honesty and clarity so they can make informed decisions.”
A bill last year to ban AI deepfakes in political ads passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously, but it has yet to be taken up in the state Senate.
Questions remain about what would qualify as a political ad under the proposed disclosure requirement, including whether AI used in a non-campaign capacity would fall under the umbrella, and whether disclosures would need to be verbal, visual or both.
Williams said those details will be sorted out, adding that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have a shared interest in preventing misinformation.
“It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you’re on. You are seeing this, and you know you don’t want it used against you either, because you want to be able to stand on your record, whatever that may be,” Williams said.
The proposal is part of a wider push in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to address emerging AI technology. A separate bill to regulate AI chatbots for minors passed the state Senate Tuesday with all but one senator voting in favor.