In a significant push for AI regulation, tech and music industry leaders appeared before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law on May 21 to advocate for legislation protecting individuals from unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes.
The hearing, titled "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AI-Generated Deepfakes in 2025," focused on the bipartisan NO FAKES Act (Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act), which would establish the first federal property right for every individual's voice and likeness while creating guardrails for responsible AI innovation.
Country music star Martina McBride delivered emotional testimony, calling unauthorized deepfakes "just terrifying" and pleading with lawmakers to give artists tools to prevent such misrepresentations. "I worked so hard to establish trust with my fans," McBride stated. "They know when I say something, they can believe it... I don't know how I can stress enough how much unauthorized deepfakes can impact the careers of artists."
RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier emphasized the urgency of passing the legislation, noting "a very small window, and an unusual window, for Congress to get ahead of what is happening before it becomes irreparable." YouTube's head of music policy Suzana Carlos also expressed support, stating the bill offers "a workable, tech-neutral and comprehensive legal solution" that would streamline operations while empowering musicians and rights holders.
The NO FAKES Act has garnered support from 393 artists including Cardi B, Randy Travis, and Mary J. Blige, as well as tech giants like YouTube, OpenAI, and IBM—representing a rare moment of solidarity between creative industries and technology companies. Unlike state-level publicity rights laws, the federal legislation would create protections that extend 70 years after death while including carve-outs for news, parody, and criticism to protect First Amendment rights.
The testimony came just two days after President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, which enacted stricter penalties for non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes. The NO FAKES Act is expected to next head for markup before a Senate floor vote, with supporters hoping to advance the bill out of committee soon.