California Passes Law on AI Replicas of Deceased Performers

The California state Senate has passed Assembly Bill 1836, which requires consent from the estates of deceased performers before their likenesses can be replicated by artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA has lauded this legislation as a significant advancement in protecting performers in the age of generative AI, emphasizing that the bill builds on previous protections established in AB 2602, which addresses consent for living performers. Both bills aim to prevent unauthorized use of digital replicas in various media without explicit permission, which SAG-AFTRA considers essential for performer rights. The legislation, which awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, has been a priority for the union following their 118-day strike last year focused on AI-related contract provisions. SAG-AFTRA represents around 160,000 entertainment professionals and views these laws as a crucial step in maintaining control over their digital representations. The passage of these bills reflects a growing legislative effort to address the challenges posed by AI in the entertainment industry.