MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin became the latest in a growing list of states trying to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

With the countdown to November already on, it’s no surprise lawmakers in the Assembly put their attention on elections Thursday and passed a first-of-its-kind bill to control the technology.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers in the Assembly passed a bipartisan bill Thursday that requires disclosures on political advertisements using content generated by artificial intelligence

  • It is the first piece of legislation in the United States to regulate synthetic media in political advertisements in a content-neutral manner, according to lawmakers

  • A second bill by Republicans that passed Thursday would order an audit to look at how state agencies use AI

“We’re coming up to the 2024 election,” State Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit, explained during floor debate. “We want voters to know what they see is what they get, and providing transparency is an important thing to protect our democracy.”

The first measure that was up for a vote Thursday would require political candidates and groups to use disclaimers in advertisements that use AI technology. Those who don’t would face a $1,000 fine for each violation.

“Ultimately, we are requiring our voters, we are requiring our citizens, to determine truth from fiction, and to do that they need the tool, they need disclosures, they need disclaimers when artificial intelligence is generating false representations,” State Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, said.

Another bill by Republicans that passed Thursday would use an audit to look at how state agencies use AI and require them to think about ways technology could help make jobs more efficient for government workers.

“I think there are some concerns from our colleagues on the other side that it’s going to be the goal to replace workers,” State Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, told reporters during a press conference. “Ultimately, that’s just flat-out false. We really want to ensure that we are giving the tools to our current workers so they can do their jobs now. Rather than looking at how we are going to cut positions because right now if we can’t fill them, how are you going to cut them.”

The proposals come from the Speaker’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, which is also considering other regulatory bills, including a ban on using AI to create child pornography that could receive a floor vote soon.

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