Midwestern States Advance AI Deepfake Regulations to Curb Misinformation, Exploitation

Lawmakers in several states are advancing legislation to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, particularly those used for non-consensual pornography, misinformation, and political campaign ads. In Michigan, bills aim to criminalize the production of non-consensual hyper-realistic deepfake pornography, with lawmakers highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable communities and citing FBI and Homeland Security warnings about rising online sexual exploitation. Ohio's House Bill 185 proposes mandatory disclaimers on AI-generated content, civil penalties for violations, and felony charges for malicious uses such as extortion or deepfakes involving children, reflecting growing concern about misinformation and unauthorized use of likenesses. Pennsylvania lawmakers are focusing on election integrity by proposing a ban on AI-generated political campaign ads within 90 days of elections, seeking to balance innovation with protections against misuse, as AI technologies increasingly blur lines between real and fake content. These legislative efforts underscore a nationwide push to regulate AI's harmful applications while fostering responsible innovation.