Governor Newsom signs laws regulating AI use in elections and entertainment industry

Governor Newsom signs laws regulating AI use in elections and entertainment industry

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed three bills Tuesday to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence to create false images or videos in political ads ahead of the 2024 election. A new law, set to take effect immediately, makes it illegal to create and publish deepfakes related to elections 120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. It also allows courts to stop distribution of the materials and impose civil penalties. The new laws reaffirm California's position as a leader in regulating AI in the U.S., especially in combating election deepfakes. The state was the first in the U.S. to ban manipulated videos and pictures related to elections in 2019. Measures in techn ology and AI proposed by California lawmaker Newsom signed legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent. Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. Another law signed by Newsom prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates.

Today on AirTalk, we'll find out what these new laws will mean for political campaigns and the entertainment industry from Dominic Patten, executive editor for Deadline.

With files from the Associated Press.

Back to Top

Judge orders West Los Angeles VA to build more housing

Judge orders West Los Angeles VA to build more housing

A federal judge has ordered officials to add thousands more homes for unhoused veterans in the Los Angeles area, citing what he describes as failures by the government to follow through on promises to end veteran homelessness. In a sharply worded ruling, the judge noted that Veterans Affairs officials had vowed to follow through on a plan to end homelessness in L.A., but only if the court did not force its hand. Today on AirTalk, we get into the injunctive relief order, by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, with LA Times senior writer Doug Smith and Public Counsel attorney Mark Rosenbaum.

With files from LAist

Brentwood School declined to join the segment, but did offer a statement:

Brentwood School contends that our lease complies with federal law, according to the 2016 West LA Leasing Act. While we are still examining the full implications of the ruling, it would be a significant loss for many Veterans if the extensive services we provide were eliminated.

The West LA VA declined to join the segment, but shared this statement by VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes:

While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, we at VA are carefully reviewing the Court's decision and will continue to do everything in our power to end Veteran homelessness – both in Los Angeles and across America. No Veteran should be homeless in this country they swore to defend, and we will not rest until Veteran homelessness is a thing of the past.

VA is committed to providing permanent supportive housing to homeless Veterans on the grounds of the West LA Campus as quickly as possible. We will stop at nothing to end Veteran homelessness, including through ensuring that critical funding and resources get into the hands of those who need it most. VA will continue to take every action and make every investment available to us to meet this critical goal.

While there is still much work to do, there are signs that the nation is making real progress in the fight to end Veteran homelessness. Key impacts include:

· Veteran homelessness in LA decreased by 23% in 2024: Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 23% reduction in Veteran homelessness across the entire Los Angeles CoC according to the latest Point-in-Time (PIT) count.

· VA has housed more homeless Veterans in LA than anywhere else in America in 2022, 2023, and we are on pace to do so again in 2024: The recent improvements in LA have been fueled by a significant increase in VA housing placements for Los Angeles Veterans. In calendar year 2023, VA placed 1,790 Veterans in permanent housing – a 38% increase from 2022, and the most of any city in America for the second year in a row. In fiscal year 2024, VA has already housed 1,605 Veterans additional Veterans in LA.

· Veteran homelessness has decreased by 52% nationwide since 2010: While the 2024 PIT Count has not yet come out yet nationwide, there has been a 5% decrease in Veteran homelessness since 2020 and a 52% decrease since 2010. In 2023, VA permanently housed 46,552 homeless Veterans nationwide – marking the second year in a row that VA has housed more than 40,000 Veterans.

· Investing in housing on the West LA Campus: To support the creation of supportive housing for Veterans at the West LA VA Campus , VA has invested nearly $175 million over the past four years in upgrades to the facility's infrastructure. This significant financial commitment is critical to improving patient care and the delivery of at least 1,200 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless Veterans at West LA VA Campus and will continue to support housing as well as clinical operations requirements for generations to come. Currently, there are 233 units of Veteran permanent supportive housing open on the West LA VA Campus, with nearly 500 units anticipated to be open by January 2025, and 730 units anticipated to be open by the end of 2025, demonstrating forward momentum on this critical project.

· Launching new call center serving unsheltered Veterans in LA: In December 2022, working with our community partners, VA launched a call center serving unsheltered Veterans in the greater Los Angeles area. This call center provided unsheltered Veterans with same-day access to safe, supportiv e temporary housing, even sending transportation through rideshare services to pick up the Veteran to ensure they could get to this housing. To date, over 500 Veterans have been brought in off the street through this call center.

· Adopting "no wrong door" approach to homelessness in LA: Our approach in LA is to ensure that there is no "wrong door" to support from VA. One application of this is the by-name list (BNL), a tool that identifies and tracks services for all unhoused Veterans. For the first time, Los Angeles has an accurate BNL that all providers are committed to keeping up to date. Additionally, this approach has facilitated resource sharing. By combining LA County and VA resources, we have been able to expand the affordable housing supply. In June 2024, the first two bulk leasing buildings have been opened, 51 apartments in Burbank and West Hollywood, with more buildings on the way.

Back to Top

To splurge or not to splurge: what's the one thing you let yourself spend unnecessary money on?

To splurge or not to splurge: what's the one thing you let yourself spend unnecessary money on?

For some people the urge to remain frugal in times of emotional or economic hardship is a number one priority. However, for many other Americans–especially after the COVID-19 pandemic–spending a little extra money on your hobby or a nice meal is the essence of life, the very reason you toil. It's easy to say "well, no I shouldn't. I can't afford it", but that's nothing compared to the feeling of being certain in a purchase for your own personal gratification, even if it is short-lived.

Today on AirTalk, we look into Americans' propensities for "splurging". What are those small or large one time purchases you just can't help yourself from making? Even if you may feel guilty afterward. Fancy alcohol, cigars, automobile upkeep, model trains, or frequent trips to the cineplex…the possibilities are endless. What do you spend money on? And what feelings do you associate with it? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Back to Top

There's an underground puppy mill at work in California. Here's what you should know

There's an underground puppy mill at work in California. Here's what you should know

A new investigation from the Los Angeles Times found that many "California-bred" dogs are coming by the masses from the Midwest and being sold at high prices. The fallout can mean devastation and high costs for buyers who are unaware of the true origins of their pet. There's little oversight and concerns about what's happening to state veterinary records. Joining to discuss all the details are L.A. Times investigative reporters, Alene Tchekmedyian and Melody Gutierrez. If you have thoughts or questions, call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Back to Top

Prop 33: Should local governments be able to impose tougher rent control?

Prop. 33: Should local governments be able to impose tougher rent control?

About a dozen cities in Southern California have some form of local rent control. That list includes Los Angeles, Inglewood and Santa Ana.

But a 1995 state law puts limits on what kinds of rent regulations cities across California can impose. The goal of Proposition 33 is to repeal that law and allow cities to enact tougher forms of rent control. Official title on the ballot: Proposition 33 — Expands Local Governments' Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute. You are being asked: Should Prop. 33 be passed to repeal current state law and prohibit the state from limiting the ability of cities and counties to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control ordinances? Joining to discuss is Susie Shannon, campaign manager for the Yes on 33 Campaign, and Nathan Click, spokesperson for the No on 33 campaign. If you have questions, call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

With files from LAist. Read more about Prop. 33 here. 

Back to Top

Tips, tricks and strategies for women to excel in the workplace and beyond

Tips, tricks and strategies for women to excel in the workplace and beyond

What does it take to have workplace stature? To garner the respect of your colleagues and advance your career? Behavioral psychologist Alison Fragale has been studying "status" for 20 years and has found that how others perceive us determines our ability to chart a successful career path. In her new book "Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve," Fragale pulls back the curtain on how status – not just power – determines our workplace success. Joining us today on the program is professor of Organizational Behavior at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and author of the book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, Alison Fragale.

Back to Top