Congressman Kean Announces Francesca Mani as State of the Union Guest

March 7, 2024

(March 7, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced high school sophomore, Francesca Mani, as his guest for President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address. Each member of Congress is allowed one guest at the annual State of the Union Address. Francesca will be seated in the House Gallery during the speech.

Last fall, students at Westfield High School used artificial intelligence to create deepfake images of other students at the school. Reports revealed that students’ photos were manipulated and shared around the school, sparking concerns among the school and the community about the lack of legal recourse for AI-generated pornography.

Francesca Mani, one of the victims, reached out to Congressman Kean to advocate for possible solutions at the federal level, to prevent such incidents from happening again. Soon after, Congressman Kean introduced the AI Labeling Act, a bill that aims to ensure people are aware when they are viewing AI-generated content or interacting with an AI chatbot by requiring clear labels and disclosures.

“I am proud of Francesca for speaking up and advocating for women who have been victimized by AI generated deepfakes,” said Congressman Kean. “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.”

"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,” said Francesca Mani. “Congressman Kean's continued support and focus on addressing the challenges posed by the growth of AI technology reinforce my belief that together, we can advocate for a brighter, more secure future."

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