UPDATE – JUNE 2025: Wisconsin’s bipartisan AI disclosure bill remains under active legislative discussion. If passed, the measure would require political ads containing synthetic media, including deepfakes, to include clear and standardized AI-generated content disclosures.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
Wisconsin Lawmakers Discuss AI Deepfake Bill
As leaders in the U.S. and around the world deliberate on the future of AI, local leaders are taking steps. In Wisconsin, lawmakers are engaging in discussions about a bipartisan bill focused on AI and deepfakes, referred to as synthetic media, particularly in political campaign advertisements. The proposed bill mandates certain disclosures for any audio or video communication paid for by entities such as candidate committees, legislative campaign committees, political action committees, independent expenditure committees, political parties, recall committees, or referendum committees if it contains synthetic media.
According to the bill, every audio communication featuring synthetic media must include the statement “Contains content generated by AI” both at the beginning and end of the communication. The same requirement applies to video communication, specifying that the phrase “This video content generated by AI” must be readable, legible, and readily accessible. If the content is solely in audio form within a video communication, a similar disclosure must be made using “This audio content generated by AI.” If synthetic media is used for both video and audio, the disclosure should state “This content generated by AI.”
Violations of the bill’s requirements could result in a forfeiture of up to $1,000 per violation. Additionally, Wisconsin’s Ethics Commission is granted the authority to establish rules that create limited exceptions to these requirements. The bill also empowers the Commission with rule-making authority to implement the provisions of the legislation.
Conclusion
This legislative effort follows the announcement of a Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. The Task Force aims to comprehend, adapt to, and leverage AI to ensure stability and resiliency.
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