Source: Babl.ai

Maine has passed landmark legislation to address the growing problem of AI-driven harassment, deception, and deepfakes. The new laws make it illegal to use artificial intelligence to impersonate, defraud, or harass individuals online, especially through the creation of fake audio, images, or videos.

The legislation includes specific provisions to protect against the misuse of AI for identity theft, online stalking, and the spread of deceptive content. Lawmakers emphasize that these measures aim to fill critical gaps in current laws and provide new avenues for victims to seek justice.

This legislative move places Maine at the forefront of US efforts to regulate the negative societal impacts of AI, and is likely to serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges posed by rapidly evolving digital technologies.