LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed three bipartisan bills aimed at protecting residents from sexual exploitation by criminalizing the creation and distribution of harmful artificial intelligence-generated sexual images or videos. She also signed legislation honoring a fallen officer.
Per an Aug. 26 news release, the measures make it illegal to produce or share AI-generated “deep fake” media depicting individuals in sexual situations without consent. Deep fakes are computer-generated videos, photos, or audio recordings that simulate real people in fabricated events, often used to damage reputations and careers.
House Bills 4047 and 4048, sponsored by state Reps. Matthew Bierlein, R-Vassar, and Penelope Tsernoglou, D-East Lansing, prohibit the creation of non-consensual sexual deep fakes and establish sentencing guidelines for those crimes.
“I am so excited, proud, and relieved that because of these bills, it is now illegal for individuals to create or disseminate intimate deep fakes of an individual without their consent here in Michigan,” Tsernoglou said.
“With the governor’s signature, Michigan is making it clear that non-consensual intimate deepfakes have no place in our state,” Bierlein said. “Technology should be used to improve lives, not to exploit them.”
Whitmer said the bills reflect her experience as a county prosecutor. “I went after people who used their power to prey on others,” she said. “Now, as governor, I’m proud to sign these bipartisan bills into law, so we can protect Michiganders from this rising form of sexual exploitation.”
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said the laws provide important safeguards. “These bipartisan bills will institute penalties and protect the public from predators and abusers,” he said.
Whitmer also signed legislation honoring Deputy Sheriff William Butler Jr., who died in the line of duty in 2024.
With Tuesday’s actions, Whitmer has signed 1,512 bipartisan bills since taking office, a record during her tenure.
