The Pennsylvania House passed a bill on Wednesday that would require consumers to be notified when content has been generated by artificial intelligence. The bill aims to protect consumers by placing guardrails around the use of AI technology.
The prime sponsor of the bill, a Democrat from Chester County, stated that the legislation is straightforward - if content is created using AI, it must be clearly labeled as such to inform consumers.
The bill, which passed with a 146-54 vote, would amend the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to mandate 'clear and conspicuous disclosure' when AI is used to create written text, images, audio, or video. Violators who knowingly or recklessly post AI-generated content could face penalties.
One significant provision of the bill prohibits defendants from arguing that child sexual abuse material created by AI is not illegal under criminal laws. This measure aims to address concerns about the misuse of AI technology in creating illicit content.
The bill has faced opposition from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, which argues that it could expose businesses to civil litigation and lacks specificity in targeting deceptive practices. The Chamber specifically opposes the consumer notification requirement in the bill.
The use of AI in various applications, such as job filtering, medical care decisions, and social media content creation, has prompted calls for greater transparency and regulation. The bill reflects a broader trend in state legislatures across the U.S. to address the challenges posed by AI technology.
Industry groups, including TechNet and BSA The Software Alliance, have expressed interest in collaborating with lawmakers to refine the bill's language and definitions related to AI. Questions remain about how to effectively disclose the use of AI in different contexts, such as in broadcasting or content creation.
As the debate over AI regulation continues, the bill represents a step towards increasing transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence technology.
