COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With another election year on the horizon, the emergence of new technology could have unintended consequences.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence, or AI, has made the creation of “deepfakes” more accessible. In response, Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) has introduced House Bill 410 to regulate the dissemination of deepfake media aimed at influencing election outcomes.
According to Miller, “They’re going to do it anyway. But just because we know somebody’s going to speed doesn’t mean we shouldn’t put a speed limit on the road.”
Deepfakes can manifest in various forms, such as a phone call that mimics Joe Biden’s voice but is not authentic, or a video of a local representative uttering statements they never made.
“AI is a powerful tool to the extent that discerning whether you’re interacting with the real Rep. Joe Miller or an AI-generated version becomes challenging,” Miller expressed. “And that’s unsettling.”
The proposed bill stipulates that no individual shall produce deepfake media without a clearly identifiable written statement or accompanying audio indicating its artificial nature.
“This legislation will impact all forms of media—print, digital, visual, audio—anything altered using AI,” Miller emphasized. “Misleading information created by malicious actors, whether local or external, to sway crucial decisions is highly detrimental.”
Moreover, the bill empowers individuals harmed by violations of the law to pursue civil remedies.
“Deluding individuals about a candidate’s identity, actions, or statements during an election should incur civil liabilities at the very least,” Miller asserted. “Campaigns, teams, and candidates should have the recourse to litigate against such deceitful practices.”
While Miller recognizes AI as a technological advancement, he underscores the importance of regulations as well.
“Let’s embrace the next phase of technology with caution and awareness, ensuring that people understand the potential risks,” he remarked. “In the absence of safeguards and in the hands of malevolent actors within our system, AI could instigate widespread chaos and issues.”
The bipartisan-supported bill, if passed by the legislature, would position Ohio among the few states with similar protective measures in place.
Although Miller is optimistic about the bill’s prospects, he acknowledges the challenges of advancing it before November.
“Simply introducing and discussing this bill could prompt individuals to question its validity and righteousness,” Miller noted.
Several other AI and deepfake-related bills have been introduced at the Ohio Statehouse, including initiatives to safeguard Ohioans from the unauthorized use of their name, image, and likeness in deepfake content.
