Weekly Policy Summaries, Commencing September 16, 2024: Key Decisions and Developments
Face the Digital Tsunami: Breaking Down the Latest Global AI Regulations
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI). Here's a rundown of the latest regulations and recommendations enforceing AI governance across the globe, focusing on ethics, safety, and inclusivity.
*Senate Approves Bill on Enhancing Government Digital Services*The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs has taken a step towards bettering public interaction with government technology by passing the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act. The bill tasks agency heads with appointing a senior official to oversee service delivery improvements, and the Office of Management and Budget will designate a senior official to manage governmentwide efforts [1].
*California Leads the Way in Protecting Performers' Digital Likeness*California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills aimed at safeguarding actors and performers' digital likenesses. AB 2602 requires that contracts specify the utilization of AI-generated digital replicas of a performer's voice or likeness, while AB-1836 prohibits the commercial use of digital replicas of deceased performers in films, TV shows, video games, and other content [1].
*Tackling Deceptive Content in Elections Across California*California Governor Gavin Newsom has also signed three bills addressing the use of deepfakes and other deceptive digitally generated or altered content in election campaigns [1]. The Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 requires large online platforms to remove or label deceptive and digitally altered content related to elections, while allowing government officials to sue platforms for non-compliance. AB 2839 expands the scope of existing law to prohibit materially deceptive content of elected officials, candidates, and election officials [1]. Lastly, AB 2355 requires AI-generated or substantially altered content in electoral advertisements to include a disclosure that the material has been altered [1].
*The UN's Proposed Solutions for Global AI Governance*An advisory body in the United Nations has released a final report called "Governing AI for Humanity" detailing key recommendations for international AI governance. The report calls for ethical, human-centric, and globally inclusive approaches, including alignment of AI development with internationally agreed-upon ethical principles [2], establishment of critical governance functions [2], advancing inclusivity [2], and anchoring AI governance in international law [2]. Importantly, the report urges fostering international collaboration, especially in data sharing and computing capacity, and ensuring that all stakeholders, including those from the Global South, have meaningful participation in shaping AI governance [2].
Footnotes:[1] Data from multiple sources is combined to provide a comprehensive picture[2] Detailed insights on enriching the AI governance landscape and patterns of proposed principles can be found in the UN's "Governing AI for Humanity" report, available for further reading for those seeking a more in-depth understanding.
- The U.S. Senate's recent approval of the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act aims to improve government-citizen interaction by appointing senior officials to oversee service delivery improvements and conduct government-wide efforts.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented two laws to safeguard actors' and performers' digital replicas, requiring contracts to specify AI-generated digital replicas and barring the commercial use of such replicas for deceased performers.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has also signed three bills addressing deceptive content in elections, requiring large online platforms to remove or label deceptive content, expanding prohibition to materially deceptive content of elected officials, candidates, and election officials, and mandating disclosures for AI-generated or substantially altered content in electoral advertisements.
- The United Nations' advisory body has proposed global AI governance solutions, emphasizing ethical, human-centric, and inclusive approaches, along with international collaboration, data sharing, and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, especially those from the Global South.
