California Passes Laws Protecting Digital Replicas

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two significant bills aimed at protecting actors and performers from the unauthorized use of their digital likenesses through artificial intelligence (AI). The first bill mandates that contracts involving AI-generated replicas must include clear terms and require professional representation for performers. The second bill protects the estates of deceased performers by requiring consent for the use of their digital replicas in commercial projects. These laws, which take effect in 2025, respond to growing concerns in the entertainment industry about potential exploitation of performers' likenesses, especially following recent advancements in generative AI. The legislation is supported by organizations like SAG-AFTRA, though it faces opposition from the Motion Picture Association, which argues it could hinder innovation. Overall, the bills reflect a broader movement within California to regulate AI's impact on the entertainment sector and protect workers' rights.