# AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2024

This bill requires political advertisements that use artificial intelligence to create or significantly alter images, audio, or video to include a clear warning label telling viewers that AI was used. Think of it like a nutrition label, but for AI-generated political content.

Here's what triggers the requirement: if a campaign, political group, or anyone else pays for a political ad that contains AI-generated or AI-altered images, audio, or video, they must disclose it. This applies to ads on TV, radio, social media, billboards, emails, or any other advertising platform. The rule covers ads that directly support or oppose a candidate, mention a candidate during election season, or ask people for donations. Minor touch-ups like color correction or cropping don't count—the law only applies when AI substantially creates or materially changes the content in a way that would give people a different impression than the original.

The disclosure requirements vary depending on the type of ad. For image-based ads, the warning must appear in large text permanently attached to the image. For audio ads, someone must clearly state at the beginning or end: "[Name] used artificial intelligence to generate the contents of this communication," and this statement must last at least four seconds. For videos with sound, the warning must appear both as on-screen text throughout the video and as an audible statement.

If someone violates these rules, they can face civil penalties up to $50,000 per ad. The Federal Election Commission will enforce the law and has 90 days to write detailed regulations explaining how to determine what counts as AI-generated content. The law takes effect immediately once passed, even before those regulations are finalized. Every two years, the FEC must report to Congress on how well people are following these rules and whether changes are needed.