Artificial intelligence technology.

Senator Ashby's artificial intelligence regulation measure establishes new requirements for AI technology providers while expanding legal protections against unauthorized digital replicas of individuals. The legislation requires companies selling AI systems capable of creating digital replicas to issue consumer warnings about potential civil and criminal liability for misuse, with violations subject to daily penalties of up to $25,000.

The bill modifies California's existing false impersonation statutes to explicitly include AI-generated replicas, defining them as computer-generated representations that a reasonable person would believe to be genuine recordings or likenesses of an individual. Under the amended Civil Code, digital replicas that appear authentic are treated as equivalent to a person's actual voice or likeness for purposes of unauthorized use claims.

To address evidentiary challenges, the measure directs the Judicial Council to evaluate artificial intelligence's impact on court proceedings and develop rules by January 2027 for assessing claims about AI-generated or manipulated evidence. The Department of Consumer Affairs must specify the format of required consumer warnings by July 2026, with technology providers required to implement them by December 2026.