As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for content generation expands, regulatory measures are being proposed in both New York and the UK to mitigate potential harms associated with this technology.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans to restrict the use of AI-generated images in political campaigns. Her proposal aims to prohibit the dissemination of such images, particularly those depicting political opponents, without their consent during the 90 days leading up to elections. Hochul's initiative, which will be detailed in her upcoming State of the State address, also seeks to ban the intentional spread of misinformation related to elections, such as false information about election dates and times. She highlighted the urgency of these measures, stating, "Now is the time to take action and protect our democracy or risk a slippery slope." This initiative positions New York as a potential leader in establishing standards for AI use in electoral processes, addressing the increasing prevalence of misleading communications that voters face.

Meanwhile, the UK government is considering restrictions on the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, due to concerns over its Grok AI tool, which has been used to generate deepfake pornography, including harmful images of undressed women and sexualized children. Sarah Rogers, the U.S. State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, criticized the UK's potential actions, comparing them to censorship practices in authoritarian regimes. UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall expressed support for regulatory actions that could block access to X if it fails to address the harmful content produced by Grok. This situation has sparked a debate about the balance between protecting citizens from inappropriate content and safeguarding free speech, with Musk accusing the UK government of overreach.

Internationally, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have already taken steps to block access to Grok, citing the need to protect citizens from non-consensual sexual deepfakes. Both governments have emphasized that such practices violate human rights and public dignity, with Indonesia's digital minister stating that the ban is necessary to safeguard vulnerable populations.

As these discussions unfold, the implications of AI-generated content on social equity and the integrity of democratic processes remain a critical concern for policymakers worldwide.