WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a) 1 Any political communication covered by this section which was produced by or includes any synthetic mediaSynthetic media"synthetic media" means any form of media including text, image, video or sound fully or partially created or modified through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms.Election Law § 14-106(2-a)(b) shall be required to disclose the use of such synthetic mediaSynthetic media"synthetic media" means any form of media including text, image, video or sound fully or partially created or modified through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms.Election Law § 14-106(2-a)(b). The disclosure on printed or digital political communications, including but not limited to brochures, flyers, posters, mailings, or internet advertising shall be printed or typed in an appropriate legible form to read as follows: "This political communication was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence". The disclosure on non-printed or digital political communications shall clearly and prominently display and/or speak the following statement: "This political communication was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence". In the case of a political communication that is not visual, such as radio or automated telephone calls, clearly speaking the statement will satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, "synthetic mediaSynthetic media"synthetic media" means any form of media including text, image, video or sound fully or partially created or modified through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms.Election Law § 14-106(2-a)(b)" means any form of media including text, image, video or sound fully or partially created or modified through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms.
This new subdivision requires any political communication already covered by Election Law § 14-106 that was produced by or includes synthetic media to carry a mandatory disclaimer. The bill prescribes verbatim disclaimer language — "This political communication was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence" — and specifies how it must appear across different media formats: printed or typed in legible form for printed and digital communications, and clearly spoken for non-visual formats such as radio broadcasts and automated telephone calls.
The definition of synthetic media is broad, covering any text, image, video, or sound that is fully or partially created or modified using AI algorithms. This would capture not only wholly AI-generated deepfakes but also communications where AI tools were used to modify or enhance any media component. The bill does not create new penalties or enforcement mechanisms, relying on the existing framework of Election Law § 14-106.
This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.
The act takes effect January 1, 2024.