Key Takeaways:
* The 2024 election witnessed a surge in artificially intelligent deepfakes and rampant misinformation.
* Microsoft President, Brad Smith, emphasized the threat in the final 48 hours before the election.
* With limited federal measures against deepfakes and AI-enhanced disinformation, reliance has shifted to the private sector and states.
* Concerns over eased tech company efforts to combat misinformation have grown.
* The FBI warned against two false videos circulating the internet related to election security.
* Numerous countries allegedly used AI to influence the election through targeted attacks.
* Senators Josh Hawley and Amy Klobuchar have shown concern over the stalled efforts to battle this threat.
* The complexities of the situation underscore the importance of vigilant information consumption by the public.
An Explosive Surge in AI-Powered Misinformation
As the 2024 elections approach, there’s a significant influx of deepfakes powered by artificial intelligence and a wave of traditional mis- and disinformation. Warnings have intensified as we draw nearer to the most “perilous moment” as described by Microsoft President Brad Smith, the 48 hours before the election. Notably concerning is the lack of concrete action, as Congress took a break in October without addressing this escalating storm.
Foreign Interference in Elections
Foreign entities have been suspected of sowing discord into American elections. However, protecting against deepfakes and the armies of chatbots has primarily fallen to states and the private sector due to scarce federal protocols. Amid these circumstances, experts are encouraging the public to critically scrutinize online information throughout the election.
Deepfakes Becoming Harder to Police
Despite efforts to manage this threat, most tech companies have diminished their fight against misinformation since January 6. Federal funding for cybersecurity in local elections, provided through Help America Vote Act grants, experienced a drastic cut from $425 million in 2020 to $55 million across all states and the District of Columbia for this election.
Invasion of the Deepfake Videos
Over the past weekend, the FBI issued warnings against two fake videos making rounds online. Each video claimed to be from the FBI, discussing election security concerns, yet were labelled false by the FBI.
Increased Spread of Domestic Misinformation
Adding to the foreign threat, domestic misinformation has peaked. Notable cases include a fake call allegedly from President Joe Biden to New Hampshire residents, asking them not to vote, and false claims about voting machines changing people’s votes in Georgia.
Foreign Meddling in U.S Elections
The U.S Justice Department accused employees from the Russian state-controlled outlet RT of foreign election interference. The allegations are serious – spending $10 million on gullible right-wing influencers to help disseminate Kremlin lies. Additionally, Russia, China, and Iran have utilised AI chatbots as tools for election manipulation, an indication of their sophistication in this domain.
Political Will: A Giant Roadblock
Despite bipartisan efforts by senators Josh Hawley and Amy Klobuchar to fight against deepfakes, their attempts have not made it to the Senate floor. The leadership on both sides has been blamed for the lack of progress.
The Aftermath: Is America Prepared?
With deepfakes on the rise and more sophisticated tactics being employed, questions arise about the United States’ preparedness to handle this threat. As Senator Mike Rounds points out, we’ve improved our cyber capacity since 2016. However, the general ability to influence has also evolved. The burden consequently has shifted to the public to self-police the information they consume.
A Reality Check for Battleground States
In battleground states, lawmakers suggest that the crux of this year’s election boils down to human choice rather than external influences. Despite the intimidating power of AI, the fundamental aspects of the electoral process remain unchanged, making one wonder about the actual impact of deepfakes on the democratic process. Nevertheless, the increasing presence of deepfakes and AI-infused propaganda ensures the challenge continues for proactive vigilance and comprehensive solutions in future elections.