Celebrities Push Gov. Newsom to Strengthen AI Laws Amid Deepfake Concerns
AI Safety Bill SB-1047 is at the center of a growing campaign by actors, writers, and industry leaders, urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign the critical legislation, as concerns over deepfake technology intensify. Mark Ruffalo, Mark Hamill, and Frances Fisher, alongside other high-profile figures, are advocating for stricter AI regulations to protect people from the potential harm caused by the misuse of artificial intelligence. SB-1047, if signed, would require developers to adhere to more rigorous safety protocols, with a particular focus on preventing the creation and misuse of deepfakes.
The bill aims to address the growing risks posed by AI technology, particularly in the entertainment industry, where concerns about the replication of actors’ faces, voices, and likenesses are mounting. According to SAG-AFTRA, deepfakes threaten jobs and undermine performers’ rights by allowing studios and others to manipulate digital likenesses without permission.
Celebrities Urge Newsom to Protect Public from AI Risks
Last week, Newsom signed two anti-deepfake bills, providing protection to politicians over the misuse of their likenesses. However, SB-1047, the bill focused on implementing additional safety measures for AI developers, remains unsigned. Celebrities and activists, including Ava DuVernay, Jane Fonda, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, have joined forces, urging the governor to prioritize public safety over tech industry interests.
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Frances Fisher, a member of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee, echoed the sentiments of her fellow actors. In an open letter co-signed by Ruffalo and Hamill, they stressed that the bill is about safeguarding everyone, not just artists. Their collective plea emphasizes that deepfake technology is a societal risk, posing threats to privacy, security, and the integrity of information.
In a recent Instagram post, Ruffalo warned that AI, left unchecked, could facilitate everything from terrorist activities to large-scale job losses, urging Newsom to protect Californians from the “worst harms of AI.” Hamill added his voice to the cause, calling for tech to serve people, not exploit them. His tweet implored Newsom to “set the standard” for AI regulations.
Newsom’s Concerns Over AI Innovation
While the support for SB-1047 grows, Newsom has expressed reservations about the bill’s potential impact on California’s status as a leader in AI innovation. In an interview with Salesforce, he voiced concerns that imposing stringent regulations could hinder the state’s competitiveness. This hesitation prompted Mark Ruffalo’s critique, accusing the governor of “bowing to billionaires.”
Nevertheless, the urgency from actors and those in the entertainment industry is clear. They argue that without proper regulation, AI could devastate jobs and industries, particularly in Hollywood, where deepfakes are seen as a serious threat to the livelihood of performers. SAG-AFTRA’s 2023 strike highlighted these concerns, with union members fighting for contracts that limit studios’ use of AI technologies.
Even Grimes, the musician and former partner of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, signed the letter. Musk has been critical of Newsom’s recent anti-deepfake laws, accusing the governor of infringing on free speech. Ironically, Musk’s own use of deepfake content—such as a video involving Vice President Kamala Harris—has fueled the debate over how AI should be regulated.
