A bill that would require businesses to inform consumers when artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to generate content has passed the Pennsylvania House and is now headed to the state Senate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pielli, a Democrat from Chester County, is designed to protect consumers by setting boundaries on the use of AI.
"If it's AI, it has to say it's AI. Buyer beware," Pielli said during his remarks on the House floor. The bill passed with a vote of 146-54, with all Democrats in favor and Republicans split on the issue.
The proposed law would change the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. It would require a "clear and conspicuous disclosure" when AI has been used to create written text, images, audio, or video. This notice would have to be displayed when the content is first shown to consumers.
However, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry opposes the bill. They argue that the requirement to display a notice could expose businesses to lawsuits. The group is specifically against the consumer notification part of the bill.
Another part of the bill would prohibit defendants from arguing that child sexual abuse material created by AI isn't illegal under criminal laws.
The use of AI is becoming more widespread, affecting areas such as job and rental applications, medical care, and social media. However, there are few laws requiring companies or creators to disclose that AI was used. This has left Americans largely in the dark about the technology, even as it spreads to every corner of life.
Margaret Durkin, TechNet executive director for Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic, said her organization expects to work with lawmakers on the definition of AI, "to decrease the uncertainty of who and what is affected." TechNet is a trade group of senior executives that lobbies for tech companies such as Meta and Google.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.