03/25/2026
AI-powered platforms are being used to submit fake comments opposing clean air rules — and California’s democratic process is paying the price.
A new investigation finds an industry front group, Common Sense Coalition, used AI platform Speak4 to submit fake public comments to Bay Area Air District regulators in real residents’ names — without their knowledge or consent. At least 10 residents confirmed they never authorized the emails.
This follows reporter Hayley Smith’s investigation finding that 20,000+ AI-generated comments flooded the South Coast Air Quality Management District before critical clean air rules were voted down — rules that would have prevented thousands of premature deaths and asthma cases across Southern California. When SCAQMD’s cybersecurity team contacted a small sample of the commenters to verify, a majority of respondents said that they had not submitted the comments in their names.
This is a statewide pattern. And Sacramento is responding: Sen. Christopher Cabaldon has introduced SB 1159 — “People, Not Bots” — to clarify that AI systems are not “persons” under California’s public comment and transparency laws.
But new legislation alone isn’t enough. Community leaders are calling on to investigate who is behind these campaigns, how many identities were used without consent, and whether California law was broken.
Share this post! Public participation should reflect real communities — not manufactured opposition.
