Gavin Newsom signs bills to offer protections for actors in the AI industry

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills aimed at protecting actors and performers from unauthorized use of their digital likenesses, reflecting the state’s status as a hub for the entertainment industry. The bills, AB 2602 and AB 1836, provide legal protections during and after performers’ lifetimes regarding the use of their image or voice. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher praised the legislation, which addresses concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on artists’ work and labor. AB 2602 prevents artists from being bound to contracts allowing the use of their digital voices or images for AI without consent, while AB 1836 protects the posthumous right of publicity for performers’ digital likenesses. The laws enable rights holders to sue for unauthorized use of digital replicas of deceased personalities, with penalties of at least $10,000 or actual damages. The legislation complements ongoing legal battles over unauthorized digital replicas of celebrities in advertisements and media. Concerns over the impact of AI on the entertainment industry have led to recent strikes and negotiations over the consensual licensing of digitally replicated voices for video games. Support for the bills has come from SAG-AFTRA, advocacy groups, and actors like Mark Ruffalo, who emphasized the need for safety and security regulations for AI developers. The laws serve to protect performers’ rights and address the potential consequences of unregulated AI technology in the entertainment industry.

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