On Wednesday (May 21), Martina McBride testified in front of Congress, urging them to pass the NO FAKES Act. The country star expressed the urgent need to protect artists and their reputations from unauthorized AI and deepfakes. “I’m pleading with you to give me the tools to stop that kind of betrayal,” McBride said at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing. “[The NO FAKES Act could] set America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special: authenticity, integrity, humanity, and our endlessly inspiring spirit … I urge you to pass this bill now.” The NO FAKES Act aims to establish a federal right of publicity that extends beyond an individual’s death, implement a notice-and-takedown system for unauthorized deepfakes, and hold platforms accountable for removing and preventing their dissemination. The bill has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as vital in preserving the integrity of artists’ work in the face of evolving AI technology. (Rolling Stone)