Somerset Times

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) has revealed Francesca Mani as his guest for President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address. Francesca, a high school sophomore, will be seated in the House Gallery during the speech.

Last fall, students at Westfield High School engaged in the creation of deepfake images using artificial intelligence, which led to concerns about the lack of legal recourse for AI-generated content. Following this incident, Francesca Mani, a victim of the deepfake images, approached Congressman Kean to advocate for federal-level solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future. In response, Congressman Kean introduced the AI Labeling Act, a bill designed to ensure transparency in AI-generated content by requiring clear labels and disclosures.

Reflecting on Francesca's advocacy, Congressman Kean expressed his admiration, stating, "I am proud of Francesca for speaking up and advocating for women who have been victimized by AI generated deepfakes." He further added, "Francesca is a leader and a fighter, and I am honored to have her join me as my guest at the State of the Union tonight."

In anticipation of the event, Francesca Mani shared her thoughts on the upcoming State of the Union Address, stating, "It is an immense honor to attend President Biden's State of the Union Address as Congressman Kean's guest in the House chamber, reflecting a significant moment of recognition and opportunity." She praised Congressman Kean's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by AI technology and expressed optimism in advocating for a more secure future together.

The selection of Francesca Mani as Congressman Kean's guest highlights the importance of addressing emerging issues related to technology and advocating for the protection of individuals in the digital realm.