SB-850; AI Getting Credit in Florida Campaign Politics

Palm Coast Local

On Tuesday January 16, 2024, a Florida Senate committee gave its approval to a bill regulating the use of artificial intelligence in campaign ads.

Senate Bill 850, focusing on the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AKA: AI) in Florida politics, received favorable reporting. Sen. Nick DiCeglie, the bill's sponsor, emphasized addressing concerns about deceptive campaign advertising by mandating disclaimers on political ads featuring specific AI-generated content.

That means in Florida, you must state that your image, or ad was generated using AI.

Sen. DiCeglie expressed worries about the escalating access to sophisticated AI-generated content posing a threat to election integrity by disseminating misleading or entirely fabricated information that appears highly realistic. He highlighted the rapid advancement of technology producing such content, outpacing government regulation.

The bill further defines generative AI as a machine-based system capable of emulating the structure and characteristics of input data to generate synthetic content, including images, video, audio, and text.

That means you must disclose to the public you used AI to assist or generate the content in Use of Artificial Intelligence in Political Advertising in Florida.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Political Advertising Currently Being Used that you may not notice;

-Voice Overs That Seem Like A Real Person - This practice has been used over images, videos and in some cases, act like another opponent that is slightly altered or not real at all. The voice is so close you may not notice as it moves fast to the next frame or talking point.

-AI Generated images by candidates with landscapes, people and crowds that are not real.

-Generated AI testimonials

Here is how the bill currently reads:

CS/SB 850: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Political Advertising

GENERAL BILL by Ethics and Elections ; DiCeglie

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Political Advertising; Defining the term “generative artificial intelligence”; requiring that certain political advertisements, electioneering communications, or other miscellaneous advertisements include a specified disclaimer; providing for criminal penalties; authorizing the filing of complaints regarding violations with the Florida Elections Commission, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2024
Last Action: 1/18/2024 Senate - Now in Rules

Be In The Know! What does it mean when a bill is referred to Rules or Rules Committee ?

The report is sent back to the whole chamber and is placed on the calendar. In the House, most bills go to the Rules committee before reaching the floor. The committee adopts rules that will govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered by the House.

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