California Passes New Legislation Prohibiting Unauthorized AI Replicas

California's 2024 legislative session has resulted in some major new protections against the harmful use of artificial intelligence technologies. While California has no doubt embraced AI technology – launching several AI programs and initiatives to explore how AI can best serve the community, and proudly serving as headquarters for several industry-leading AI tech companies – California is also home to Hollywood, and to thousands of performers who have had serious concerns about the threat that AI poses to their jobs and the entertainment industry. Acknowledging such concerns, California lawmakers have continued to make AI-generated digital replicas a main focus. On September 17^th, 2024 at the headquarters of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing over 160,000 performers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills, AB 2602 and AB 1836, which aim to protect performers – both living and dead – against the unauthorized use of AI-generated digital replicas.