California Governor Signs Legislation Restricting AI Actor Cloning

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills that will protect artists from having their likenesses copied by artificial intelligence-powered digital replicas.

Two bills supported by SAG-AFTRA, AB 2602 and AB 1836, were passed by the California legislature in August and are part of a series of AI-related laws at the state level. AB2602 prohibits contract provisions that would allow companies to employ a digital version of a performer in place of a real actor in a project unless the performer knows exactly how his or her digital double will be used and has a lawyer or union representative involved.

1836-01-01 says that if a performer has died, entertainment companies must get permission from his family or estate before producing or distributing a “digital replica of him.” The law specifies that these replicas do not fall under an exception that allows works of art to depict people’s likenesses without permission, shutting down what Hollywood Reporter is characterized by as a potential loophole for AI companies.

“We are making sure that no one has their name, image or likeness shared with dishonest individuals without their representation,” Newsom said in a video posted to Instagram Tuesday, which shows him alongside SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher.

The signing of the two bills could bode well for what is arguably the AI ​​industry’s biggest legal disruption: California’s SB 1047, which currently sits on Newsome’s desk awaiting his decision. SAG-AFTRA has also publicly supported SB 1047. But the bill has faced opposition from much of the AI ​​industry — which has until the end of September to lobby for its veto.