California Governor Signs Law Restricting Use of AI to Create Actor Clones

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills aimed at protecting performing artists from having their images imitated by digital copies using AI.

Two SAG-AFTRA-backed bills, AB 2602 and AB 1836, passed the California legislature in August and are part of a suite of state-level AI regulations. AB 2602 prohibits contract provisions that allow companies to use a digital version of an artist in a project instead of the actual actor, unless the artist knows exactly how their digital copy will be used and has an attorney or union representative involved. AB 1836 requires that if an artist is deceased, entertainment companies must get consent from the artist’s family or heirs before creating or distributing “digital copies” of them. The law clarifies that these copies are not subject to an exemption that allows artistic works to reproduce someone else’s likeness without permission, closing a potential loophole that The Hollywood Reporter says could be exploited by AI companies. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DABmbDNvvAl/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=22be637f-19d4-42f2-b5d5-dbd8c924f490 “We’re making sure that no one is tricked into entrusting their name, likeness, and rights to untrustworthy people without representation,” Newsom said in a video posted to his Instagram on Tuesday, where he appeared alongside SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher. The signing of these two bills could be a good sign for a major legislative shift for the AI industry: California’s SB 1047, which is currently on Newsom’s desk awaiting his decision. SAG-AFTRA has also publicly supported SB 1047. However, the bill has faced opposition from many in the AI industry — who have until the end of September to lobby for its veto.