California Takes Legal Action Against AI-Powered Public Comments
The California legislature has approved a new bill aimed at protecting public agencies from fake comments and requests generated by artificial intelligence.
Lawmakers in California have passed a significant bill to prevent the use of artificial intelligence tools in fake comments, public records requests, and civic engagement processes directed at public agencies.
Scope of the Bill
Senate Bill 1159, introduced by Senator Christopher Cabaldon, prohibits the knowing use of artificial intelligence to deceptively represent that a real person is interacting with a public agency. The bill also specifies that agencies are not required to treat interactions from artificial intelligence or bots as if they came from real humans.
Background of the Regulation
This legal regulation came to the agenda immediately following reports about a campaign aimed at influencing a vote on gas-powered home appliances at the South Coast Air Quality Management District in February. Public relations consultant Matt Klink had taken credit for using a platform called CiviClick to send 20,000 public comments opposing the rule to the agency.
Artificial Intelligence and Civic Engagement Rights
Cabaldon pointed out that artificial intelligence platforms like CiviClick and Speak4 are used to flood agencies with fake comments. The new law clarifies that civic engagement laws are intended solely for humans, emphasizing that communications generated by artificial intelligence do not possess the same legal rights as human submissions.
Next Steps
Having passed through the legislature, Senate Bill 1159 will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk in September to be signed into law.