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On Thu, 1 Aug, 12:05 AM UTC
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Copyright Office tells Congress: 'Urgent need' to outlaw AI-powered impersonation
The U.S. Copyright Office has issued the first part of a report on how AI may affect its domain, and its first recommendation out of the gate is: we need a new law right away to define and combat AI-powered impersonation. "It has become clear that the distribution of unauthorized digital replicas poses a serious threat not only in the entertainment and political arenas but also for private citizens," said the agency's director Shira Perlmutter in a statement accompanying the report. "We believe there is an urgent need for effective nationwide protection against the harms that can be caused to reputations and livelihoods." The report itself, part one of several to come, focuses on this timely aspect of AI and intellectual property, which as a concept encompasses your right to control your own identity. You don't have to file a copyright request on yourself to prevent an advertiser from using your likeness, obviously, but can the same be said for AI-powered replications of you? A few years ago it would take lots of time and effort to make a "digital replica" (as the Copyright Office chooses to call them) of a person, and so such things tended to be limited to politicians and celebrities. But now, using only handful of videos and public social media posts, nearly anyone can create a passable virtual version of you quite easily and cheaply. That opens up new possibilities for abuse, as the FCC and other federal agencies have pointed out in their own domains. The Copyright Office is more concerned with IP questions, of course, but after launching this inquiry (and soliciting public comment) last year, the potential for harm even within that area became obvious to them. As they write in the report: The need for a new law in this area is hardly an original sentiment, and indeed Congress is in a way hard at work on this very problem. In fact, a bill along these lines was proposed while I was writing this article! (That one's been making the rounds for a while as a draft, but was officially introduced today.) The Copyright Office's recommendations add some important nuance that these bills may want to include in amendments. Some examples quoted from the report: It starts to look a lot like existing copyright law, actually! Your likeness (any that is "difficult to distinguish from authentic depictions"), the agency suggests, should be similar to a photo you took or a song you wrote, and given basic federal protections. But unlike a song, your likeness also involves questions of privacy and identity that some states have additional laws on, like Illinois' BIPA or California's CCPA. The Copyright Office's perspective on these matters necessarily comes from their areas of concern and expertise, but certainly they are relevant, even if human rights and other questions of ethics are also involved. Drafters of a new "digital replica" law -- and perhaps more importantly, a legally defensible one -- may do well to base it on effective existing legislation rather than start from scratch.
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The Copyright Office calls for a new federal law regulating deepfakes.
The US Copyright Office spent a good chunk of last year soliciting comments from the public about AI and intellectual property, and it's out today with the first part of the resulting report. The takeaway? Digital replicas and deepfakes of people are a big problem, and the patchwork of existing IP laws won't be enough to solve it. Based on all of this input, we have concluded that a new law is needed. The speed, precision, and scale of AI-created digital replicas calls for prompt federal action. Without a robust nationwide remedy, their unauthorized publication and distribution threaten substantial harm not only in the entertainment and political arenas, but also for private individuals.
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The U.S. Copyright Office has called for urgent legislation to address the growing concerns surrounding AI-generated deepfakes and impersonation. The office emphasizes the need for a new federal law to protect individuals' rights and regulate the use of AI in content creation.
In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a stark warning to Congress, emphasizing the "urgent need" for legislation to combat AI-powered impersonation 1. This call to action comes amidst growing concerns over the proliferation of deepfakes and AI-generated content that can convincingly mimic real individuals.
The Copyright Office is advocating for a new federal law specifically designed to address the challenges posed by AI-generated impersonations 2. This proposed legislation would aim to protect individuals' rights and establish clear guidelines for the use of AI in content creation.
Current copyright laws have been deemed inadequate to handle the complexities introduced by AI technology. The Copyright Office argues that these laws were not designed to address the unique challenges posed by AI-generated content, particularly when it comes to impersonation and the potential for misuse 1.
The rise of AI-powered impersonation has raised significant concerns within creative industries. Actors, musicians, and other artists fear that their likenesses could be used without consent, potentially damaging their careers and reputations 2. The proposed legislation would aim to provide protections for these individuals and establish clear guidelines for the ethical use of AI in content creation.
While acknowledging the need for regulation, the Copyright Office also recognizes the importance of not stifling innovation in AI technology. The challenge lies in striking a balance between protecting individuals' rights and allowing for the continued development of AI capabilities in creative fields 1.
The Copyright Office's call for new legislation could have far-reaching implications beyond U.S. borders. As AI technology continues to advance globally, other countries may look to the U.S. as a model for developing their own regulatory frameworks to address AI-powered impersonation 2.
With the Copyright Office's recommendation now on the table, all eyes turn to Congress to see how they will respond to this urgent call for action. The coming months are likely to see intense debate and discussion as lawmakers grapple with the complex task of crafting legislation that can effectively regulate AI-powered impersonation while preserving the benefits of technological innovation 12.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation aimed at protecting individuals and artists from AI-generated deepfakes. The bill seeks to establish legal safeguards and address concerns about AI exploitation in various sectors.
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A new bill introduced in the US Senate aims to safeguard the creations of artists and journalists from unauthorized use by AI systems. The legislation proposes measures to protect copyrighted works and ensure fair compensation for creators.
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A recent experiment by ABC News Verify highlights the ease and affordability of creating AI-generated voice clones, raising concerns about the impact of deepfakes on democracy and personal identity. The article explores the inadequacies of current copyright laws and proposes the establishment of "personality rights" as a potential solution.
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A new US bill aims to give individuals intellectual property rights over their likeness to protect against deepfakes, raising questions about its effectiveness and potential adoption in other countries like New Zealand.
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A new bill introduced in the US Senate seeks to make it illegal to remove or alter AI-generated content watermarks. The legislation aims to combat the spread of AI-generated disinformation and protect content creators.
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