Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/File
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel speaks at an event in Washington, DC on February 14, 2022.
Washington
CNN
—
The Federal Communications Commission is taking the first steps toward a new rule that could require political ads on television and radio to include disclaimers about the use of artificial intelligence.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday called on other agency commissioners to support such regulations amid growing concerns that AI-generated deepfakes could disrupt elections. .
“As artificial intelligence tools become more available, the Commission wants to ensure that consumers are fully informed when the technology is used,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. . “Today, I shared with my colleagues a proposal to make it clear that consumers have a right to know when AI tools are used in the political ads they see. I hope that you will
Wednesday's proposal is intended to kick off a rulemaking process at the FCC that will likely take several months to develop.
Rosenworcel's proposal calls for new rules governing broadcast television and radio broadcasting, as well as cable and satellite broadcasting providers. Under the proposed rules, political advertisers in these outlets would have to disclose on-air if their ads include AI-generated content. The FCC does not regulate internet-based media, such as streaming video services or social media.
As part of the proposed rules, political advertisers would also be required to provide written disclosures in files that broadcast stations are required to make available to the public.
The FCC's move aims to fill a major gap in the regulation of artificial intelligence in political advertising.
Current US election law prohibits campaigns from “falsely promoting other candidates or political parties,” but it remains an open question whether this prohibition extends to AI-generated content.
Last summer, Republicans on the Federal Election Commission blocked a move that would have made it clear that the law would also apply to depictions created by AI. The FEC has since agreed to reopen discussions, but has not reached a decision on the issue.
Meanwhile, some US lawmakers are proposing legislation that could crack down on AI in elections. In March, a bipartisan proposal by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced the AI Transparency in Elections Act, which could require AI disclaimers in political ads. was announced.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, emphasized the urgent need for Congress to put guardrails in place for artificial intelligence, especially for elections. Last week, he and a bipartisan group of senators released a blueprint for legislative action. But many policy analysts question whether Congress can pass meaningful AI legislation during an election year.
Online platforms such as Meta have taken their own steps to address AI in political advertising, requiring campaigns to disclose their use of deepfakes and banning the use of in-house generated AI tools for political ads.
