6thWave: AI News Hub

Two new bills in the Pennsylvania Legislature aim to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for impersonating political candidates in campaign literature and advertising. Senate Bill 1217, introduced by state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, and House Bill 2353, co-sponsored by state Reps Tarik Khan and Rob Mercuri, propose civil penalties for creators of AI-manipulated campaign content. The legislation was inspired by incidents such as AI-generated robocalls targeting voters and impersonating officials to solicit donations fraudulently. The bills suggest fines up to $250,000 for AI impersonations of presidential or congressional candidates within 90 days of an election, and lower fines for state and municipal candidates. Unlike other states, the Pennsylvania bills focus on civil penalties to expedite court resolutions. The legislators assert the importance of deterring AI interference in elections to maintain integrity. Critics argue the penalties may be insufficient given the rapid AI advancements and its potential for disinformation. The proposed legislation reflects broader efforts to regulate AI in politics, with bipartisan support and no significant opposition so far. Nationally, similar measures are being considered to address AI’s role in political campaigns and ensure transparency.

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