The legislation would require labeling of AI-generated content, impose penalties for violations, and empower enforcement to protect against deceptive synthetic media.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and State Representative Linda Serrato proposed legislation to regulate synthetic media generated by AI and to protect residents from deceptive content created by these systems. The measure, called the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act (AI2A), was unveiled in Albuquerque and would establish the state’s first comprehensive framework governing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and synthetic media, including deepfakes.
The bill would require providers of generative AI services, large online platforms, and manufacturers of capture devices to embed latent digital markers in AI-generated images, audio, and video that identify the content as synthetic. Covered providers also would have to offer tools at no cost to verify the authenticity and origin of digital content.
Under the proposal, the Attorney General would be authorized to investigate alleged violations by AI companies and social media platforms and could impose penalties of up to $15,000 per violation. Individuals who knowingly disseminate harmful synthetic content could face civil liability, and using generative AI to commit a felony would trigger an additional year of imprisonment.
“Generative AI has incredible potential, but it also poses serious risks when used to deceive, defame, or exploit individuals,” Torrez said in the press release. “The Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act will ensure that accountability and transparency are built into these systems from the start.”
Serrato, who would sponsor the bill in the upcoming legislative session, said the federal government had not provided sufficient leadership on the issue and emphasized the need for state action.
The proposal is at the introduction stage and would need to be considered by the New Mexico Legislature before becoming law.
New Mexico is one of several states, including California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Oregon, and Washington, that are either pursuing or enacting AI legislation despite federal mandates to the contrary.