NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – YouTube, Disney, along with numerous other major media corporations, have expressed support for legislation proposed by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and her colleagues. This bill seeks to safeguard both individuals and content creators against unauthorized digital duplicates.
The Promote Uniqueness, Cultivate Creativity, and Ensure Secure Enjoyment (No Counterfeits) Act was implemented to safeguard the voice and visual appearance of people and creators from unauthorized digital reproductions generated through artificial intelligence technology.
Although AI has facilitated numerous advancements, it has simultaneously left creators and other susceptible people open to various online dangers," stated Senator Blackburn. "The creative sector in Tennessee enjoys international recognition, and the NO FAKES Act aims to safeguard these individuals against improper use and exploitation of generative AI by ensuring accountability for those behind deepfake material.
The legislators stated that this bill was proposed due to numerous artists and content creators finding their voices and images utilized without permission in AI-generated videos and music pieces.
“In one high-profile example The lawmakers pointed out that an AI-created version of a hit song called 'Heart on My Sleeve,' featuring simulated vocals resembling those of pop artists Drake and The Weeknd, gained massive traction with hundreds of thousands of streams on YouTube, Spotify, and various other streaming services prior to being identified as counterfeit and subsequently taken down from these platforms.
Here’s how the NO FAKES Act aims to tackle AI/digital duplicates:
- Making individuals or corporations responsible if they release a digital copy without permission that replicates someone's voice or appearance.
- Making platforms accountable for maintaining an unapproved digital copy if they are aware that the depiction was not sanctioned by the person featured;
- Leaving out specific digital copies from coverage due to established First Amendment rights;
- Anticipating upcoming state regulations for digital replicas.
The NO FAKES Act has, up until now, received support from:
- RIAA
- Motion Picture Association
- SAG-AFTRA
- YouTube
- Recording Academy
- OpenAI
- Warner Music Group
- Universal Music Group
- Sony Music
- The Walt Disney Company
- IBM
- Vermillio
- Hive
- Independent Filmmaking & TV Association
- WME
- Creative Artists Agency
- Human Artistry Campaign
- National Association of Broadcasters
- The Model Alliance
- ASCAP
- Nashville Songwriters Association International
- The Authors Guild
- The National Center for Sexual Exploitation
- Television Academy
- Enough is Enough
- Independent Music Producers American Association
"For almost twenty years, YouTube has led the way in managing content rights efficiently, recognizing the significance of working closely with partners to address such challenges preemptively. Today, this experience and collaborative approach will be applied towards deploying advanced AI technologies ethically. We extend our gratitude to Senators Coons and Blackburn as well as Representatives Salazar and Dean for championing the NO FAKES Act. This aligns perfectly with our continuous endeavors to safeguard both creators and audiences and underscores our pledge to foster an environment where artificial intelligence serves responsibly," stated Leslie Miller, Vice President of Public Policy at YouTube.
"Disney is delighted to back the reintroduction of the NO FAKES Act. We anticipate collaborating with the sponsors to get this bill passed, aiming to provide essential safeguards for people from unauthorized use of their likeness and vocal characteristics via artificial intelligence, all while upholding crucial free-speech rights necessary for authentic narrative-telling grounded in the First Amendment," stated The Walt Disney Company.