Schatz pushes for greater AI transparency

In his latest effort to address the impact of proliferating artificial intelligence use and misuse, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz co-introduced last week new bipartisan legislation that would require clear labeling and disclosure of AI-generated content or AI chatbots.

“People deserve to know whether or not the videos, photos and content they see and read online is real or original,” Schatz said. “Our bill is simple: If any digital content is made by artificial intelligence, it should be labeled so that people are aware and aren’t fooled or scammed.”

The senator emphasized the widening distribution of AI-generated material across digital platforms and ways in which it can weaponized to disrupt markets, influence elections and defraud vulnerable populations.

Schatz cited a May 2023 incident in which an AI-generated photo of an explosion near the Pentagon went viral and triggered a dip in the stock market as well as deepfake photos of President Donald Trump being arrested and the use of AI-generated voice impersonations in scam calls.

The so-called AI Labeling Act of 2026 would require AI-generated digital content (including image, video or audio content) to carry visible and machine-readable disclosures. It would also require AI developers and all major social media platforms to collaborate to ensure users can identify the authenticity of shared content.

In addition, the measure would create a working group to create technical standards so users and social media platforms can identify AI-generated content and support “content provenance” — a verifiable history of when the content was created, who created it and what technologies were used in its creation and modification.

Joining Schatz in introducing the measure were Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Mark Warner, D-Va.

The bill has received support from several organizations that represent creative fields — including the Authors Guild, Society of Composers and Lyricists, Songwriters Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA and the National Association of Voice Actors — as well as Common Cause, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Action and other public advocacy groups.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.