New York Assembly Bill A07656

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/4/25
• Refer: 4/4/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Prohibits political communication containing any photo, video or audio depiction of a candidate created in whole or in part through the use of generative artificial intelligence.

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s Election Law to prohibit certain political communications from containing realistic photo, video, or audio depictions of a candidate, or a person interacting with a candidate, if the depiction includes original material created in whole or in part using generative artificial intelligence. The bill is titled the “Respect Electoral Audiovisual Legitimacy (REAL) Act,” and it defines generative artificial intelligence broadly as technology that learns and makes decisions to generate new data. In practical terms, the measure is aimed at preventing AI-generated deepfakes and similar synthetic media from being used in campaign-related communications. It would apply to political communications covered by existing Election Law provisions and would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to Election Law section 14-106, creating a specific prohibition on AI-generated realistic depictions of candidates in political communications. This would affect campaigns, political committees, advertisers, and others producing election-related media by limiting the use of synthetic images, video, and audio that could misrepresent a candidate or their interactions. The measure would expand state election regulation into the area of generative AI and campaign messaging, with potential enforcement consequences under existing election-law mechanisms.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be protective of election integrity and skeptical of AI-generated political media. The bill’s framing suggests concern about deceptive or misleading campaign content, especially realistic synthetic depictions that could influence voters. No opposing arguments are documented in the supplied record, but the proposal itself indicates a policy preference for restricting AI use in political communications.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between preventing deceptive deepfakes and preserving political speech, satire, parody, and legitimate digital editing practices. Because the bill uses broad language such as “realistic” depictions and material created “in whole or in part” through generative AI, critics may argue it could sweep in benign or incidental uses of AI in campaign media. Supporters, by contrast, would likely emphasize the need to stop manipulated audiovisual content from misleading voters and undermining trust in elections.