Senators Introduce Landmark Bill To Protect Artists From AI Exploitation

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have introduced the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act of 2024.

This bill aims to protect individuals, especially artists and creators, from unauthorized AI-generated replicas of their voices and likenesses.

Safeguarding Black Artists and Creators

The NO FAKES Act addresses a pressing issue in the age of AI: the unauthorized replication of a person’s voice and image. 

This legislation is particularly significant for Black artists and creators whose cultural contributions and personal identities are often co-opted without permission or compensation.

The bill ensures that any digital replica created without consent is subject to legal action, and it mandates online services to remove such content upon notification from the rightful owner.

“Everyone deserves the right to own and protect their voice and likeness, no matter if you’re Taylor Swift or anyone else,” said Senator Coons. 

Read: FKA Twigs Made Her Own AI Deepfake, Calls For Regulation In Senate Testimony

Bipartisan Support for Ethical AI Use

The bill has garnered support across the entertainment and technology industries. 

Notable endorsements come from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the Recording Industry Association of America, and tech companies like OpenAI and IBM.

“The NO FAKES Act is a major step forward in our fight to ensure that AI is used ethically and equitably to enhance creativity, not to exploit or replace it,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy.

Anna Makanju, Vice President of Global Affairs, OpenAI, added: “We appreciate the leadership of Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar, and Tillis and look forward to further collaboration on this legislation as it advances through Congress.”

While AI presents exciting opportunities for creativity and innovation, it also poses risks of misuse. 

The NO FAKES Act aims to balance these opportunities with necessary safeguards, ensuring that creators, especially those from marginalized communities, retain control over their identities and receive due recognition and compensation for their work.

Image credit: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC. Digitally disorted on Canva