OpenAI Backs California Bill On AI Content Watermarking Amid Rising AI Concerns
As California navigates the complex landscape of AI regulation, AB 3211 represents a step toward ensuring that the public is aware of the origins of the content they encounter online.
OpenAI is backing a new California bill, AB 3211, which aims to enforce transparency in AI-generated content by requiring tech companies to label such material. This measure seeks to address the growing concern over the potential misuse of AI technology, including deepfakes and misleading political content, according to news reports by Reuters.
The bill comes at a crucial time, as the use of AI-generated content has become increasingly prominent in global elections. With several countries set to hold elections this year, the potential for AI to influence political discourse is a significant concern. Indonesia, for instance, has already witnessed the impact of AI in its elections.
AB 3211, proposed by California State Assembly member Buffy Wicks, has received significant backing from OpenAI. The firm advocates for the clear labeling and watermarking of AI-generated content to ensure transparency and differentiate between human and AI-created media.
"New technology and standards can help people understand the origin of content they find online and avoid confusion between human-generated and photorealistic AI-generated content," stated Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, in a letter to Wicks.
The bill has passed the state Assembly with a unanimous 62-0 vote and has also cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee. It is now poised for a vote by the full state Senate. Should it pass by August 31, it will move to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval or veto by September 30.
In contrast to AB 3211, another California AI bill, SB 1047, has faced backlash from the tech industry, including OpenAI. SB 1047 mandates safety testing of AI models, which has raised concerns among developers and tech giants.
