Georgia Targets AI Deepfakes with New Transparency Laws
State officials and students warn of rising synthetic media scams, while new legislation mandates AI disclosure starting January 1.
Key points
- Georgia politicians report targeted deepfake attacks, including false health claims and manipulated images of public figures.
- Federal agencies estimate up to $3.5 billion in losses associated with deepfake-related scams and impersonation fraud.
- New state laws effective January 1 require AI chatbots to disclose their non-human status to users.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping deception in Georgia, exposing voters and consumers to increasingly realistic digital fabrications. From retail fraud schemes to political smear campaigns, the technology is blurring the line between fact and fiction. Lawmakers are responding by introducing legal guardrails aimed at curbing the spread of synthetic media.
Local officials report that these tools are being weaponized to target public figures and manipulate public perception. In Savannah, police arrested a man accused of using AI to falsify a delivery order. In Atlanta, elected officials have faced malicious deepfakes, including a manipulated image of a mayor in a compromising situation and false claims about a U.S. Senator’s health.
Political figures face synthetic threats
College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has publicly addressed a fabricated image that falsely depicted her kissing a man who is not her husband. She argues that while satire and criticism are protected speech, presenting a lie as reality should carry legal consequences. "A fabricated image presented as real is not speech about a person, though. It is a lie about them," she said.
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock has also warned about deceptive generative imagery after online fabrications claimed he had collapsed on stage or was recovering from cancer. These incidents highlight a growing trend where digital manipulation is used to undermine trust in public leaders and sway electoral outcomes.
Financial losses from digital fraud
The economic impact of these technologies is substantial. Arun Rai, director of the Center for Digital Innovation at Georgia State University, notes that the Federal Trade Commission reported over one million impersonation scams in 2025. While not all were deepfake-related, agencies estimate that up to $3.5 billion in losses are associated with this type of digital deception.
Rai emphasizes that deepfakes can be used to ruin reputations and defraud consumers. The widespread availability of generative tools has made it easy for bad actors to create convincing content, leading to a surge in both political misinformation and financial scams targeting everyday citizens.
New laws mandate AI transparency
In response to these concerns, state lawmakers are implementing new regulations. Two key measures, Senate Bill 444 and Senate Bill 540, are scheduled to take effect on January 1. One bill establishes safeguards for AI use in healthcare decisions, while the other requires automated services to disclose when users are interacting with an AI chatbot rather than a human.
Experts recommend a three-step approach for the public: pause, verify, and report. Rai advises individuals to check content against external sources before sharing and to report suspicious material to consumer protection agencies or the Georgia Board of Elections. Students at Georgia State University also urge for stricter boundaries on what generative tools can be used for, noting that political fabrications are becoming increasingly common on social media feeds.
