TLDR
- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the COPIED Act to combat AI-generated deepfakes and protect content creators.
- The bill proposes standardized watermarking for AI-generated content and creator control over content provenance.
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would develop the watermarking method.
- The act aims to prevent unauthorized use of content for AI training and enforce creator compensation rights.
- Major organizations like SAG-AFTRA and RIAA support the bill.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media (COPIED) Act. Led by Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, the bill seeks to combat AI-generated deepfakes, protect copyright, and regulate AI training data.
The COPIED Act proposes a standardized method for watermarking AI-generated content, making it easier to detect.
This measure aims to provide transparency in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-created media. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would be responsible for developing this watermarking technology.
Under the proposed legislation, AI tool providers would be required to allow content creators to attach information about the origin or “provenance” of their work in a way that cannot be removed.
This feature would give creators more control over their content and help users identify authentic material.
The bill also addresses the issue of unauthorized use of content for AI training. It calls for creator control and compensation rights, potentially impacting how AI companies gather data for their models.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general would be responsible for enforcing these new regulations.
Several high-profile organizations have expressed support for the COPIED Act.
The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have praised the bill’s introduction. These groups see the legislation as a crucial step in protecting artists’ rights in the digital age.
The bill comes at a time when the entertainment industry is grappling with the implications of AI technology.
Last year, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) staged a prolonged strike, with AI usage in Hollywood being one of the key issues under negotiation.
The proposed legislation also aligns with broader efforts to regulate AI and protect content creators.
Earlier this year, camera manufacturers Nikon, Sony, and Canon proposed a new method to combat deepfakes through image watermarking. However, researchers have noted that such watermarks can be vulnerable to removal through adversarial techniques.
The COPIED Act is not the only initiative addressing AI-related concerns. The White House has been exploring the use of cryptographic technology to authenticate official communications, a move prompted by an AI-generated deepfake of President Joe Biden that attempted to mislead New Hampshire primary voters.
