In recent weeks, major tech companies have taken significant steps to address the growing problem of explicit deepfakes, potentially signaling a shift in the industry’s approach to this issue. This comes after sustained criticism from digital safety experts, women’s rights advocates, and legal scholars regarding Big Tech’s perceived role in the proliferation of non-consensual, sexually-explicit deepfakes online.

Meta’s Oversight Board ruled on two cases involving AI-generated explicit images of public figures, mandating their removal and recommending policy clarifications. The Board emphasized the severity of harms caused by such content and suggested replacing vague terms in content moderation policies with clearer language.

Microsoft published a report acknowledging the scale of the deepfake problem and calling for updated legislation to protect citizens from abusive AI-generated content. The company’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, advocated for criminal penalties for creating and distributing non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material generated by AI.

Google announced significant updates to its search engine to combat explicit deepfakes. These changes include overhauling the reporting process for victims and adjusting the search algorithm to push websites hosting deepfake pornography further down in search results. The company aims to surface high-quality, non-explicit content for queries specifically seeking this type of material.

While these developments have been welcomed by advocates fighting against image-based sexual abuse, it remains to be seen whether they will lead to better protections for victims and a reduction in the volume of such material online. However, these actions suggest that the tech giants are beginning to take the criticisms seriously and may be moving towards more comprehensive measures to address the deepfake abuse epidemic.

As the U.S. Congress considers legislation that would allow victims of “sexual digital forgeries” to sue their abusers, these initiatives from Big Tech may provide hope for a safer internet in the future.

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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 

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On September 27, 2023, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a pivotal hearing titled “AI and the Future of Our Elections.” Chaired by Senator Amy Klobuchar, the session explored the implications of artificial intelligence on electoral processes, featuring testimonies from key experts in technology, election security, and policy.

Witnesses included Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State, who emphasized the dual nature of AI as both a tool for efficiency and a potential threat to election integrity through misinformation and disinformation. Trevor Potter, President of the Campaign Legal Center and former FEC Chairman, discussed the urgent need for regulations to prevent AI from being used deceptively in elections. Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, highlighted the importance of addressing AI-driven disinformation, especially targeting non-English speaking communities and voters of color​ (Klobuchar Senate)​​ (Senate Rules)​​ (Tech Policy Press)​​ (Leadership Conference)​​ (Campaign Legal)​.

The hearing addressed several critical areas:

1. Election Integrity: AI’s potential to both support and undermine election processes was a major focus. The need for transparency and accurate information dissemination was stressed to counter AI-generated deepfakes and misleading content.
2. Cybersecurity: Witnesses highlighted AI’s role in both enhancing and threatening cybersecurity measures. AI can improve threat detection but also be exploited for sophisticated cyberattacks.
3. Policy Recommendations: The session underscored the necessity for a robust policy framework to manage AI’s integration into elections. Recommendations included augmenting the FEC’s authority to regulate AI use in campaigns, mandating disclaimers on AI-generated political ads, and enhancing cybersecurity protocols to protect electoral integrity.

Senators from both parties expressed concern over AI’s rapid advancement and its potential to disrupt democratic processes. They emphasized the importance of proactive measures to ensure AI is used responsibly and ethically in elections, calling for bipartisan legislative action to safeguard democracy.

The hearing underscored the critical need for collaboration between government entities, technology firms, and civil society to address the evolving challenges posed by AI in the electoral domain. This foundational discussion sets the stage for further legislative and regulatory efforts to protect future elections from AI-driven threats.

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