Source: CBS Detroit

CBS Detroit reports on the signing of new laws in Michigan that criminalize the production and distribution of non-consensual AI-generated "deepfake" pornography. Governor Gretchen Whitmer approved the bipartisan legislation, which makes it illegal to create or share digitally manipulated, sexually explicit material of another person without their explicit consent. This legislative action is a response to the rapid advancement and accessibility of AI tools that can be weaponized to harass, intimidate, and defame individuals, with a significant impact on women and other vulnerable groups.

The package of bills introduces stringent penalties for offenders, classifying the act as a felony in certain circumstances, particularly if the material is shared widely or used for malicious purposes. State lawmakers who sponsored the bills emphasized the profound personal and psychological damage that such digital forgeries can inflict on victims. The legislation aims to provide a clear legal recourse for victims and a strong deterrent for potential perpetrators. With these new laws, Michigan positions itself among the leading states that are actively updating their legal frameworks to address the novel challenges and threats posed by artificial intelligence in the digital era.