GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — It is now a crime in Michigan to create and distribute photos or videos of a person in sexual situations using artificial intelligence, after the governor signed bills against it Tuesday.

In a step toward regulating AI, House Bills 4047 and 4048 prohibit “deep fakes,” which are fake photos, videos or audio recordings created by AI that depict a sexual scenario that never happened.

“These videos can ruin someone’s reputation, career, and personal life,” read a release from the governor’s office.

“Michiganders are facing artificial intelligence-driven sexual exploitation,” wrote Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II in the release. “This is unacceptable. These bipartisan bills will institute penalties and protect the public from predators and abusers.”

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