To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence, and for other purposes.
Impact
With the implementation of HB 8939, there will be a notable shift in how voice-related technologies are regulated under federal communication laws. By aligning these regulations with current technological capabilities, the bill is intended to enhance consumer trust and safety in communications involving artificial voices. This includes addressing potential misuse of the technologies for deceptive purposes, thus promoting a more responsible deployment of generative AI capabilities among providers. Overall, this legislative move could significantly impact telecommunications companies and application developers alike, requiring them to adapt to the new standards.
Summary
House Bill 8939 aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish technical and procedural standards specifically for artificial or prerecorded voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence (genAI). This advancement acknowledges the rapid evolution of AI technology, particularly in voice generation, which has raised concerns regarding transparency, authorization, and user consent. The bill seeks to address these issues by mandating that systems using such technology adhere to specific guidelines that ensure they operate within a legal framework aimed at protecting consumers.
Contention
Notably, there may be concerns and debate surrounding the implications of HB 8939 on innovation and technological progress. Opponents might argue that stringent regulations could stifle creativity and the potential benefits of generative AI by imposing limitations on usage and development. Additionally, there may be discussions on what constitutes appropriate standards and how they should be enforced. The balance between consumer protection and maintaining an open environment for technological advancement is likely to be a focal point in discussions related to this bill.
This bill provides statutory authority for the application of certain technical and procedural standards to systems that transmit artificial or prerecorded telephone messages generated using artificial intelligence.Specifically, the standards require (1) that such messages clearly identify and state the telephone number or address of the individual or entity initiating the call, and (2) that any system making such phone calls release a recipient’s telephone line within five seconds of notification that the recipient has ended the call. Such standards are prescribed and implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and apply under current law to any system used to transmit an artificial or prerecorded voice message by telephone. The bill also permits the FCC to apply the standards to other technologies used to transmit artificial and prerecorded telephone messages as it deems appropriate.