Kentucky lawmakers are trying to keep up with a rapidly-evolving technology, pushing forward bills that would narrowly target the use of deepfakes by political parties, campaigns, and candidates. Another bill outlaws AI-generated child pornography. Thursday, the legislature turned its attention to the use of AI-generated content meant to mimic the name, voices, or likeness of artists and performers for monetary gain.
On hand to speak for the bill was half of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, Eddie Montgomery — a Kentucky native.
"We've got to get ahead of this because I'm sure there's good stuff about it, but you know how it is... there's a lot more worse they're going to use it for," Montgomery said. "We've worked hard, man, to get where we're at, as songwriters and singers and, well, everybody."
Senators sought and received assurances that the bill would not infringe on things like tribute performances or AI-generated content posted to people's social media.
Though the AI-related bills are easily clearing hurdles, lawmakers and advocates remain keenly aware of how fast the language in the legislation might be outdated. It wasn't a fact lost on Montgomery either...
"What blows my mind is, what's next? Terminators?" he joked.
The Name, Voice, and Likeness bill is on its way to the Senate.
