Senators Push for Watermarking to Combat AI Deepfakes

Spearheaded by Senator Maria Cantwell of the Democratic Party, the legislative proposal advocates for a standardized method to watermark AI-created content circulating online.

The bill, named the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED Act), emphasizes the need for guidelines that require AI service providers to allow creators to embed information about the originality of their work in a manner that AI tools cannot remove.

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In a statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 11, Senator Cantwell highlighted the bill's role in enhancing transparency around AI-generated media. She remarked:

The COPIED Act will also put creators, including local journalists, artists and musicians, back in control of their content with a provenance and watermark process that I think is very much needed.

While AI innovation has numerous positive outcomes, it can be harmful when misused. For instance, in early June, cybercriminals created fake videos of Elon Musk, which they streamed during SpaceX's Starship rocket test launch, attempting to lure viewers into investing their crypto through a provided QR code.

Warren Buffet, Berkshire Hathaway's shareholder, has previously expressed his concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, comparing it to nuclear weapons. He said:

We let a genie out of the bottle when we developed nuclear weapons. And that genie has been now doing some terrible things lately. And the power of that genie is, you know, scares the hell out of me. And on the other hand, I don't know any way to get the genie back in the bottle.

The COPIED Act aims to create a balance where technological advancements in AI do not come at the expense of creator rights and content integrity. By ensuring AI-generated content is marked and traceable, the bill seeks to provide a robust framework for content authenticity and protection.

Aaron S. , Editor-In-Chief

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
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