California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills Sunday to protect minors from harmful sexual images of children created through the abuse of artificial intelligence tools.
Supporters of the bills say current law does not allow district attorneys to prosecute those who possess or distribute AI-generated images of child sexual abuse unless they can prove the material depicts a real person. Under the new laws, such a crime would be classified as a felony.
Last month, Newsom signed on legislation regulating AI-generated “deepfake” election content and requiring “fraudulent content” to be removed from social media. The laws are now being challenged in court.
The new laws build on legislation passed years earlier regulating campaign ads and communications, according to the governor’s office.
NEWSOM’S DEEPFAKE ELECTION LAWS ARE ALREADY BEING CHALLENGED IN FEDERAL COURT
Newsom has singled out California as an early adopter and regulator of AI technology. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, File)
The law makes it illegal to create and publish deepfakes before election day and 60 days after. It also allows courts to stop distribution of the material and impose civil penalties, according to the Associated Press.
Newsom also signed two other bills aimed at protecting women and teenage girls from revenge porn, sexual exploitation and harassment enabled by AI tools.
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Newsom has touted California as an early adopter and regulator of AI technology, saying the state could soon use generative AI tools to manage traffic congestion and provide tax guidance, even as his administration considers new rules against AI discrimination in hiring practices.
Fox News’ Jamie Joseph and The Associated Press contributed to this report.