Generative AI Technologies: How New US Content Creation Laws Protect Artists

Every once in a while, a technology emerges that forces lawmakers to rewrite existing laws or create new ones. Generative AI is one of these technologies! Its rapid evolution and widespread adoption in content production industries like advertising, film, and literature have raised pressing questions that regulators are now scrambling to answer. In its new report, Voices highlights some of the answers that regulators have come up with so far.

To read the guide for yourself, go to https://www.voices.com/landing/ai-and-the-law

Generative AI: The Fears

According to Voices, the main concerns surrounding generative AI technologies are job displacement and the unauthorized use of likenesses. Because AI can produce high-quality content in a matter of minutes, there is increasing fear that producers and gatekeepers will bypass artists and creators to reduce labor costs. Additionally, many public figures are concerned that their identities may be misappropriated without their consent, particularly for financial gain. Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman are just a few celebrities who have made their opinions on the subject known!

“Understandably, artists and creators in all disciplines are worried about whether they will be cut out from the future of their craft,” explains the author of the report. “Fortunately, over the course of the last year, lawmakers, regulators, and labor unions around the world have begun to take meaningful steps to address these concerns.”

What's Being Done

One example cited by Voices is the Utah Artificial Intelligence Policy Act, which went into effect on May 1, 2024. This groundbreaking initiative calls for transparency in AI applications, specifically requiring organizations to disclose their use of AI and label any content generated by AI accordingly.

Voices also shines a light on the efforts of lawmakers in California, a state where “creative industries” make up a large part of the economy. They recently passed the AI Transparency Act, an initiative similar to the Utah Artificial Intelligence Policy Act that goes into effect on January 1, 2025. Additionally, they passed two new laws regarding how producers use AI to create digital replicas of performers.

The Importance Of Unions

SAG-AFTRA, the labor union representing performers in the U.S., played a big role in getting the laws in California passed, notes Voices. Their high-profile strikes drew much-needed attention to the issues regarding generative AI, and their representatives helped negotiate agreements with producers and tech companies.

“[SAG-AFTRA] has been steadily making inroads to enact new provisions in its collective bargaining agreements detailing the permissible and impermissible use of AI to replicate performers in new content,” says the author.

Educate Yourself & Get Involved!

Your voice matters in this conversation! Go to https://www.voices.com/landing/ai-and-the-law to join the discussion and advocate for a future where creativity and innovation thrive together!

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