Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have taken a significant legislative step by reintroducing the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act, known as the COPIED Act. This bill aims to tackle the growing issue of deepfakes and AI-generated content, focusing on increasing transparency and giving control back to content creators, including journalists, artists, and songwriters.

The COPIED Act proposes clearer federal guidelines to mark and authenticate AI-generated content. Senator Blackburn emphasized the challenge posed by deepfakes, stating, "Artificial intelligence has given bad actors the ability to create deepfakes of every individual... to imitate their likeness without their consent." The Act seeks to shield those in the creative sector from such technological threats.

As noted by Senator Cantwell, the bill's objective is to install transparency and control mechanisms for creators: "The COPIED Act will also put creators... back in control of their content." Additionally, Senator Heinrich highlighted the real danger deepfakes pose to democracy, emphasizing the need for action to protect journalists and artists from AI-driven misuse.

The COPIED Act mandates the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop guidelines for AI content provenance and detection. The legislation allows content owners to maintain control over their work's terms and use. It also enables journalists, artists, and other creators to take legal action against unauthorized use of their content.

Several organizations have shown support for the bill. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland of SAG-AFTRA praised the initiative, stressing the importance of controlling digital representations of performers. "The capacity of AI to produce stunningly accurate digital representations... poses a real and present threat," he noted.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International and the Recording Academy have also expressed strong backing for the COPIED Act, acknowledging its potential to safeguard creators effectively. Barton Herbison of NSAI mentioned, "We note her including artists... and recognizing it is more financially feasible for songwriters... to adjudicate these matters in a local civil court."

Representation from the NewsGuild-CWA and the National Association of Broadcasters highlighted the Act's significance in maintaining journalism's integrity against deepfake threats. "Deepfakes pose a significant threat to the integrity of broadcasters’ trusted journalism," said NAB President Curtis LeGeyt.

As AI technology continues to advance rapidly, legislative measures like the COPIED Act are seen as essential steps toward establishing ethical boundaries and ensuring transparency in the use of AI-generated content.