As the 2024 presidential election approaches, swing states are intensifying efforts to combat misinformation, particularly deepfake content, which poses a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral process. During the Republican National Convention, Microsoft experts Ginny Badanes and Ashley O’Rourke educated participants on identifying and combating deepfakes. They emphasized the critical role of political participants in tracking and responding to deepfake incidents.
The growing sophistication of AI technology has led to an increase in realistic deepfakes, especially targeting local officials and candidates. This development undermines voter trust in genuine campaign content. To address this, various states have implemented measures to ensure election integrity. For example, Philadelphia’s city commissioner’s office allocated $1.4 million for a communications plan aimed at countering misinformation through social media, ads, and proactive community engagement.
Pennsylvania’s efforts are a response to the rapid spread of misinformation during the 2020 election, which saw numerous baseless claims about the integrity of the voting process. In Arizona, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has established an advisory committee to explore policy recommendations for AI and election security. The state has also introduced tabletop training exercises that expose officials to scenarios involving cyberattacks and misinformation.
Legislative actions are also underway. Arizona passed HB 2394 and SB 1359, which address deepfake content and mandate clear disclosures for AI-generated media. Similarly, Wisconsin’s AB 664 requires disclaimers on political ads produced using AI, with penalties for non-compliance.
Experts like Lawrence Norden from the Brennan Center emphasize the importance of proactive measures to inform voters about election security. Megan Bellamy from the Voting Rights Lab highlighted the widespread nature of misinformation and the necessity of maintaining trust in the electoral process. These combined efforts reflect a nationwide commitment to protecting the democratic process from the evolving threat of AI-generated misinformation.
2024 election, misinformation, deepfakes, swing states, election security, voter trust, AI technology, political campaigns, legislative measures, combating misinformation