YouTube came out in support of the “No Fakes Act,” which was reintroduced by Republican and Democrat members of Congress earlier Wednesday.
In a blog post, the tech giant also said it was expanding a pilot program that is designed to identify and manage AI-generated content featuring the “likeness,” including the face, of creators, artists, and other famous or influential figures.
“For nearly two decades, YouTube has been at the forefront of handling rights management at scale, and we understand the importance of collaborating with partners to tackle these issues proactively,” said Leslie Miller, VP Public Policy at YouTube. “Now, we’re applying that expertise and dedication to partnership to ensure the responsible deployment of innovative AI tools.”
The No Fakes Act would give individuals the right to control the use of their digital likeness, as part of an effort to limit the use of AI deepfakes and voice clones. Introduced last year, the bill failed to advance in Congress even with bipartisan support and changes that alleviated First Amendment worries.
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As AI has exploded, and Google and other tech giants commit hundreds of billions of dollars to enhancing their capabilities, ethical questions have emerged for creator-based communities like YouTube. The company said at its last “Made On YouTube” event, a major annual gathering for creators, that it was enhancing safeguards designed to prevent the misuse of AI.
The No Fakes Act legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). In the House, the sponsors are Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT).
YouTube’s Miller thanked the Senators and Representatives and said their proposed legislation is “consistent with our ongoing efforts to protect creators and viewers, and reflects our commitment to shaping a future where AI is used responsibly.”