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OpenAI Supports California Bill for Mandatory AI Content Labels

By  |  August 26, 2024

OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI tool ChatGPT, is throwing its support behind a California bill that seeks to make it mandatory for tech companies to label content created by artificial intelligence. This legislation, known as AB 3211, addresses the growing concern over the potential misuse of AI to produce misleading content, from harmless memes to deepfakes intended to manipulate public opinion during elections.

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    According to Reuters, the focus on AB 3211 has been somewhat eclipsed by the attention on another AI-related bill in California, SB 1047. This particular bill requires AI developers to conduct safety testing on certain models they create. However, SB 1047 has met resistance from the tech sector, including OpenAI, which counts Microsoft among its significant backers.

    Read more: Apple and OpenAI Partnership Could Prompt EU Antitrust Regulation Revisions

    California lawmakers have been highly active on the AI front this legislative season, with 65 AI-related bills introduced, according to the state’s legislative database. These proposed laws cover a wide range of issues, such as ensuring that AI-driven decisions are free from bias and protecting the intellectual property rights of deceased individuals from being exploited by AI technologies. Despite the flurry of activity, many of these bills have already stalled.

    In a letter reviewed by Reuters, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, emphasized the importance of this legislation. “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,” Kwon wrote, highlighting the company’s position on the issue.

    AB 3211 has already gained significant traction in the California legislature, passing the state Assembly with unanimous support in a 62-0 vote. Earlier this month, the bill successfully cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, positioning it for a full vote in the state Senate.

    Source: Reuters