(WHTM)– A Pennsylvania lawmaker proposed legislation that would prohibit the publication of AI-generated deepfakes targeting candidates for public office.
State Rep. Lisa Boscola’s (D-18) legislation would ban the publication of AI deepfake images targeting candidates for public office during the weeks before an election.
According to the memo, the legislation prohibits AI-generated or AI-altered video, audio, or images depicting a candidate for public office during the 90 days before an election, when the publisher intends to harm a candidate’s reputation or deceive voters about the candidate’s conduct.
The bill comes in response to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. AI can now be used to fabricate photos, videos, and even audio to the point where many find it difficult to tell the difference between it and reality.
Rep. Boscola argues that this technology can be a potential threat to candidates, as “deepfakes” can put words into their mouths and fabricate damaging conduct that could deceive voters.
According to the memo, 29 states have already enacted laws addressing AI deepfakes in elections, including neighboring states such as New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Rep. Boscola said that Pennsylvania is one of the few large battleground states that haven’t acted.
The bill has not yet been submitted for introduction.
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