#FCC Chair Proposes Rule to Disclose AI-Generated Content in Political Ads

The FCC wants you to know if that political ad you saw includes images, video or audio created by a generative AI system.

On Wednesday, FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel unveiled a proposal that would require the disclosure of AI-generated content in political advertisements. It’s the FCC, so the rule, if adopted, would cover broadcasters, cable operators, satellite TV and radio providers, but not ads that appear on the internet or via social media.

The rule also does not ban AI-generated content, but rather just requires a disclosure. It would apply to both candidate and issue advertisements.

“As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, the Commission wants to make sure consumers are fully informed when the technology is used,” said Rosenworcel in a statement. “Today, I’ve shared with my colleagues a proposal that makes clear consumers have a right to know when AI tools are being used in the political ads they see, and I hope they swiftly act on this issue.”

The FCC proposal comes a few months after a deepfake of President Biden rattled political observers in New Hampshire, when it was distributed via robocall. The Biden deepfake discouraged voters from voting in the Democratic primary, and to “save your vote for the November election.”

The FCC, which also regulates robocalls, has previously made AI-generated robocalls effectively illegal through a prior ruling, but the commission is clearly concerned about AI’s impact on more traditional political advertising as well.