This bill establishes new regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the state of Iowa, specifically focusing on the unauthorized recreation of an individual's audio or visual likeness. It defines artificial intelligence as a machine-based system that generates outputs based on inputs, which can influence various environments. Starting July 1, 2026, individuals will be prohibited from using AI to recreate someone's likeness without their consent if the likeness is intended to be substantially indistinguishable from the individual and is used in contexts such as commercial activities, political campaigns the individual does not support, or in ways that could harm the individual's reputation or credibility.

Additionally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for violations, allowing individuals to seek actual and punitive damages, with punitive damages capped at $250,000 per violation. It permits class action lawsuits under Iowa's civil procedure rules and mandates that courts specify the amounts for damages and fees for each violation. The bill outlines factors for courts to consider when determining punitive damages and states that each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. Importantly, the bill does not prevent individuals from pursuing other legal actions under existing laws.