H.R.334 - 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. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 334 aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to address artificial or prerecorded voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence (genAI). Specifically, it seeks to update Section 227(d)(3) of the Act to include technologies like voice cloning under the umbrella of regulated prerecorded voice systems. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 13, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The primary goal is to establish technical and procedural standards for these AI-generated voice systems. This is intended to ensure that consumers are aware when they are interacting with an artificial voice, potentially mitigating fraud and deception. The amendment grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to adapt regulations to emerging technologies in this field.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would likely lead to the FCC developing and enforcing new regulations for AI-generated voice systems. Companies using such technologies in telecommunications would need to comply with these standards.
This could involve implementing disclosures to inform users that they are interacting with an AI, and adhering to technical standards to prevent misuse. The changes will primarily affect businesses utilizing AI voice technology in communications, potentially increasing their compliance costs.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Fraud and Deception: By requiring disclosures, the bill can help prevent scams and deceptive practices that use AI-generated voices to impersonate individuals or spread misinformation.
- Increased Transparency: Consumers will be better informed about when they are interacting with an AI, fostering trust and allowing them to make informed decisions.
- Adaptability to Technological Advancements: The bill empowers the FCC to update regulations as AI technology evolves, ensuring that the rules remain relevant and effective.
- Consumer Protection: The bill aims to protect consumers from potential harms associated with AI-generated voice systems, such as privacy violations or manipulation.
- Promoting Ethical AI Development: By establishing standards, the bill encourages responsible development and deployment of AI voice technology.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Compliance Costs: Businesses using AI-generated voice systems may face higher costs to comply with the new regulations, potentially hindering innovation.
- Potential for Overregulation: The FCC's implementation of the bill could lead to overly burdensome regulations that stifle the development and use of AI voice technology.
- Enforcement Challenges: Effectively monitoring and enforcing the regulations across various platforms and applications could prove difficult for the FCC.
- Unintended Consequences: The regulations could have unintended consequences, such as limiting the use of AI voice technology for legitimate purposes, like accessibility tools.
- Legal Challenges: The bill could face legal challenges from companies arguing that the regulations violate their First Amendment rights or are overly broad.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. While it doesn't directly infringe on any specific constitutional right, concerns could arise under the First Amendment regarding freedom of speech if the regulations are overly restrictive.
However, the government has a legitimate interest in preventing fraud and protecting consumers, which could justify some restrictions on AI-generated voice systems. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, which could be used to justify federal regulation of AI voice technology used in communications.
Ultimately, the constitutionality of the bill would depend on the specific regulations implemented by the FCC and how they are interpreted by the courts.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).