Spot the Fakes Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9578
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T13:38:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill aims to make AI-generated content clearly identifiable to help users distinguish it from human-created material. It requires labeling such content to provide verification of its origin.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Labeling Requirement: Any person owning or controlling AI-generated content must label it as AI-generated. This must appear in the metadata of the output or through other technological means that allow indelible verification, as determined appropriate by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- Regulatory Authority: Within six months of enactment, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with the NIST Director, must issue rules specifying how the label appears in metadata or via other methods.
- Enforcement: Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act. The FTC handles enforcement using its existing powers, with the same penalties and protections applying.
- Definitions:
- "Artificial intelligence" or "AI" follows the meaning in the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020.
- "AI-generated content" covers video, image, audio, text, or other media produced by AI.
- "Metadata" uses the definition from title 44 of the U.S. Code.
- "Commission" refers to the FTC.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new federal mandate for labeling AI content, which did not previously exist. It expands FTC authority to regulate this area by treating non-compliance as a violation of unfair or deceptive practices rules under the FTC Act, without altering the underlying Act itself.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FTC gains enforcement duties, while NIST provides technical guidance on labeling methods, potentially increasing workload for both.
- On Citizens: Users may gain clearer information about content origins, aiding informed decisions about media they encounter.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions address this, though the rules could influence how U.S.-based AI tools are used or exported.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- AI developers and companies that own or control generated content.
- The FTC and NIST as enforcers and standard-setters.
- Content platforms and distributors that handle AI outputs.
- Everyday users and consumers who view or interact with AI-created media.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill relies on existing FTC enforcement mechanisms rather than creating new penalties, which keeps it within established regulatory frameworks. It does not raise obvious constitutional issues in the text, as it focuses on disclosure requirements rather than content restrictions. Politically, it promotes transparency in emerging technology without banning AI use.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-07-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Spot the Fakes Act — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (3 pages)