Schatz speaks during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on June 9, 2021. Photo: Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images
Sens. Brian Schatz and John Kennedy are trying to drum up support for a bill that would boost transparency on AI-generated content, making clear when someone is viewing content made by AI or interacting with an AI chatbot.
What they're saying: "Our bill is simple – if any content is made by artificial intelligence, it should be labeled so that people are aware and aren't fooled or scammed," said Schatz in a statement released Tuesday.
- "Our bill would set an AI-based standard to protect U.S. consumers by telling them whether what they're reading, seeing or hearing is the product of AI, and that's clarity that people desperately need," Kennedy said in the statement.
Details: The two senators' AI Labeling Act, which has support from groups like SAG-AFTRA, the American Federation of Teachers and the Writers Guild of America, would require generative AI developers to include a "clear and conspicuous" disclosure identifying AI-generated content and chatbots.
- It would also require developers and third-party licensees of such content to "take reasonable steps" to prevent "systematic publication of content without disclosures" and establish non-binding technical standards for identifying such content for social media platforms.
- The senators dropped the bill shortly before the August recess, but only announced it today.
- A handful of other AI-focused bills have been introduced this month.
