Wisconsin
AI Policy Overview
Wisconsin lawmakers have yet to prioritize artificial intelligence policies broadly. However, Governor Tony Evers (D) issued an executive order in 2023 establishing a Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence administered by the Department of Workforce Development. The Wisconsin Assembly has also created an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to explore the role of AI in elections, business, and government. In 2024, lawmakers enacted laws aimed at limiting deepfakes in political campaigns as well as sexual deepfakes.
Deepfakes
In 2024, Wisconsin enacted a political deepfake bill (WI AB 664) into law. The law requires disclosure if certain types of political advertisements incorporate audio or video content that is substantially produced in whole or in part by means of generative AI. The law requires the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to investigate violations of this law subject to fines of $1,000 per violation. The law exempts broadcasters.
In 2024, Wisconsin enacted a political deepfake law (WI SB 314), which establishes that a person is guilty of possession of child pornography if he or she knowingly receives, distributes, produces, possesses, or accesses with the intent to view, obscene photographs, film, motion pictures, or digital or computer-generated images or pictures that contain a visual representation that appears to depict an actual child engaged in sexually explicit conduct although the representation does not depict an actual child.
Legislative & Regulatory History
2024 - Wisconsin enacted WI SB 314, which adds “digital or computer generated images” even if the “representation does not depict an actual child” to the state's possession of child pornography criminal laws.
2024 - Wisconsin enacted WI AB 664, which requires disclosures for certain political audio or video communication if the communication contains synthetic media.
2023 - Gov. Evers issued Executive Order #211 on Aug. 23, 2023, establishing a Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence administered by the Department of Workforce Development.