BILL NUMBER: S1815
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring
publishers of books created with the use of generative artificial intel-
ligence to contain a disclosure of such use
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require publishers. to disclose whether any portion of a
book was published with the use of generative artificial intelligence
software to provide transparency to consumers making purchasing deci-
sions.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Adds a new section, 338-al. to the general business law to
require conspicuous disclosure of books wholly or partially created
through the use of generative artificial intelligence.
Section 2. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The use of generative artificial intelligence, or "Al", has proven to be
disruptive to many industries in a very short time, leading to uncer-
tainty about how it will affect the field of education. Technological
advancements have allowed for Al to be used as a pathway to generate
income regardless of impact on the end-user. Copy (written material) and
art are being used to Al generate entire books with limited editorial
oversight as a result of self-publishing becoming accessible to the
average, person. Bowker, the official agency in the United States which
has authority to issue International Standard Book Numbers or "ISBNs",
estimates that almost 15 million books have been self-published since
2011, but over 12 million of those or 81% were published after 2017.
As this new technology becomes interwoven into the publishing world,
consumers deserve full transparency about who (or what) wrote, illus-
trated, or otherwise designed the books they are buying for themselves,
their children, their students, or new language learners. This technol-
ogy could have alarming effects on children's literacy as written books,
audio books, coloring books, and other learning tools are being produced
with experimental models that may not fully conform with developmental
or language standards, and have no editor vetting the material. A
conspicuous disclaimer on the cover of books generated using Al will
allow consumers to make informed choices for their families or communi-
ty.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S7922 / A8089A
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No immediate fiscal impact.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become law.