General

CREATOR

Actor who prepares or causes AI-produced political media to be made or disseminated.

How the laws define this

Regulatory frameworks consistently identify a creator as an individual or legal entity that uses artificial intelligence or digital technology to generate synthetic media or deepfake content, placing compliance obligations on content generators rather than technology vendors. Most measures, including Arizona SB 1359 (2024) and S.B. 131 Information Technology Act Amendments, explicitly exclude the providers or developers of the underlying technology from being classified as creators. The primary point of divergence lies in how specifically the regulated actors and content are defined. Alabama HB 172 - Deepfakes in Elections narrowly applies to candidates, campaign committees, political parties, political action committees, and their agents who create or disseminate political advertising produced by generative AI. Conversely, instruments such as House Bill No. 10567 (Regulation of AI Use in 2025 Elections) and Election communications; deepfakes; prohibition (Senate Bill 1359, 56th Leg., 2nd Reg. Sess., 2024) define creators more broadly as any natural or legal person generating synthetic media or deepfakes, extending the scope beyond explicit political campaign actors.

Synthesised from the 5 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

JurisdictionInstrumentStatusWhat is distinctive
Alabama, United StatesAlabama HB 172 - Deepfakes in ElectionsIn ForceExplicitly lists candidates, campaigns, political parties, PACs, their agents, and any person who prepares or causes preparation and dissemination, while excluding specific distributors like broadcasters and AI developers.
Arizona, United StatesArizona SB 1359 - Synthetic Media in ElectionsIn ForceEmphasizes natural or legal persons as downstream authors, sponsors, and distributors using AI or digital technology, expressly excluding underlying technology providers or tool vendors.
Utah, United StatesS.B. 131 Information Technology Act AmendmentsIn ForceLimits to a person who uses AI to generate synthetic media, explicitly excluding those who merely provide the underlying technology.
PhilippinesHouse Bill No. 10567 (Regulation of AI Use in 2025 Elections)Under ReviewCovers individuals or legal entities generating deepfake content using AI, focusing on disclosure responsibilities without exclusions.
Arizona, United StatesArizona SB 1359 (2024) — Election Communications; Deepfakes; Prohibition (adds Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-1023; Chapter 199, Laws 2024)In ForceApplies to any person using AI or digital technology to generate synthetic media, expressly excluding technology providers, with direct ties to disclosure, civil, and criminal obligations.

What it triggers

  • In Alabama, prohibits distribution of deceptive AI-generated deepfakes within 90 days of an election and mandates clear disclaimers for synthetic election content.source
  • In Arizona, prohibits distribution of deceptive synthetic media of candidates within 90 days of an election without clear AI disclosures.source
  • In Arizona, prohibits publishing deceptive political deepfakes within 90 days of an election without clear disclosures and creates criminal penalties and civil remedies.source
  • In Utah, requires disclosure of generative AI in political media and allows courts to enhance criminal penalties for AI use.source
  • Under House Bill No. 10567, would require disclosures on AI-generated deepfakes and subject creators to penalties for non-compliance.source

Definitions (5)

Any candidate, candidate campaign committee, political party, political action committee, other political committee or entity, any employee, representative, or agent of the foregoing, or any other person who prepares, creates, or causes the preparation or creation and the dissemination of any political advertising, material, or media produced by generative artificial intelligence. Excludes broadcasters, cable providers, digital newspapers, online services, internet service providers, streaming platforms, or developers of AI technology solely for distribution.

Any natural or legal person who uses artificial intelligence or other digital technology to generate synthetic media; the statutory definition expressly excludes providers of the underlying technology or tools used to create the media. The designation focuses regulatory obligations and potential liability on downstream authors, sponsors, and distributors of synthetic content rather than model/API vendors.

Any person that uses artificial intelligence or other digital technology to generate synthetic media; the statutory definition expressly excludes providers of the technology used. The term identifies actors subject to the statute's disclosure, civil, and criminal obligations.

Individuals or legal entities that generate deepfake content using artificial intelligence technologies, who bear responsibilities under the regulation to include required disclosures and may be subject to penalties for non-compliance.

The act also defines a 'creator' as a person who uses artificial intelligence to generate synthetic media, explicitly excluding individuals or entities that merely provide the underlying technology for such creation. This clarifies where responsibility lies under the law, focusing on the end-user or deployer of the AI for content generation.

Not to be confused with

Sponsor

Sponsor refers to the party that finances or promotes dissemination, while creator focuses on those who prepare, create, or generate the AI-produced media itself.

information content provider

Information content provider is a person or entity that creates or develops information generally, whereas creator specifically generates AI-produced political media.

Questions and answers

Am I a creator if I just provide AI tools?

No, definitions in Alabama, Arizona, and Utah expressly exclude providers of underlying AI technology or tools. Arizona SB 1359 also excludes model or API vendors.

What duties apply to creators under these laws?

Creators face prohibitions on distributing deceptive deepfakes near elections without disclosures in Alabama, Arizona, and Utah. Arizona imposes civil and criminal obligations, while the Philippines bill would add penalties for non-compliance.

Does creator include political campaigns?

Yes, Alabama explicitly includes candidates, campaigns, political parties, PACs, and their agents as creators.