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Policy & Government · Regulation

OpenAI, Adobe, Microsoft Support California Bill Mandating AI Content Watermarks

OpenAI, Microsoft and Adobe have expressed support for California’s AB 3211, a bill that mandates tech companies to label AI-generated content, according to TechCrunch. The bill, which is expected to face a final vote in August, requires AI-generated photos, videos, and audio clips to include watermarks in their metadata. While many AI companies already embed such watermarks, they are often overlooked by the general public.

In addition to metadata watermarks, AB 3211 mandates that large online platforms like Instagram and X must clearly label AI-generated content in a way that is easily understood by average viewers.

These companies are part of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, which played a role in creating the widely used C2PA metadata standard for marking AI-generated content.

Interestingly, a trade group representing Adobe, Microsoft, and other major software companies had previously opposed AB 3211 in April, calling it “unworkable” and “overly burdensome.” However, recent amendments to the bill seem to have shifted their stance, leading to their current support.

James Dargan
About the author
James Dargan

James Dargan is a writer and researcher at The AI Insider. His focus is on the AI startup ecosystem and he writes articles on the space that have a tone accessible to the average reader.

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