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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.

 Read Full Hearing

AI in elections, Senate hearing, election security, AI and democracy, voter accessibility, AI policy, election integrity, cybersecurity in elections, deepfakes, AI legislation