Senate Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Against AI Exploitation

In a move aimed at curbing the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence for recreating people’s voices and likenesses, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a new bill on Wednesday. The Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act seeks to safeguard individuals’ rights in the digital age.

The bill, introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Thom Tillis (R-NC), arrives about eight months after the initial discussion draft was presented last October. According to Rolling Stone, the NO FAKES Act follows the NO AI Fraud Act and aims to bolster protections around the right of publicity, extending these rights even posthumously to heirs or estate executors.

The urgency of such protections has been underscored by recent controversies, including an incident where OpenAI allegedly used a voice strikingly similar to Scarlett Johansson’s without her consent. Johansson had previously declined an offer to have her voice used for conversational AI software being developed by OpenAI. Per Rolling Stone, this is just one of many examples highlighting the potential for abuse in the absence of stringent legal safeguards.

Another pressing issue is the proliferation of deepfake pornography, which has victimized both celebrities and private individuals. In response to these concerns, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a related bill targeting the distribution of deepfake content, which recently passed the Senate unanimously.

Related: Senate Committee Blocks Attempt to Prevent AI Disclosure in Political Ads

The music industry has also been significantly impacted by AI technology. Instances of AI-generated voice clones have become more frequent, with varying degrees of consent from the original artists. Randy Travis, for instance, used AI to release a song following a debilitating stroke, showcasing the technology’s positive potential when used ethically. Conversely, unauthorized uses have sparked legal disputes, such as Drake’s incorporation of Tupac Shakur’s voice in a diss track. The track, titled “Taylor Made Freestyle,” was subsequently pulled after the Shakur estate issued a cease and desist order. Drake himself was a victim of voice cloning when an anonymous songwriter released “Heart on My Sleeve” using his voice without permission.

As AI continues to evolve, the NO FAKES Act represents a crucial step in ensuring individuals retain control over their digital representations.

Source: Rolling Stone