Related Articles
-Editorial
Artificial intelligence is supercharging threats to the election system, according to experts, officials, and observers, as it gets easier to use AI and spread synthetic content that can stoke disinformation and confuse voters. What used to take a studio budget and a production team to produce can be put together with a few clicks, according to news reports.
The result is that every day voters try to navigate an election landscape where it’s difficult to gauge the authenticity of pictures, posts, and videos – like fake AI images of black voters supporting President Trump that recently circulated widely.
This briefing by Ethnic Media Services heard from experts monitoring the rise of AI-empowered racialized messaging and reporting on efforts to push new legislative controls before the 2024 elections. Of special concern is the impact AI can have not just on the presidential elections but on local elections.
Jonathan Mehta Stein, Executive Director of California Common Cause, shed light on the emerging threat of AI-driven disinformation campaigns in the upcoming 2024 elections. Addressing the Ethnic Media Services team, Stein emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering a stronger, more inclusive democracy at both state and local levels.
“We are a statewide democracy organization in California that works to build a better, healthier, stronger, more inclusive democracy,” Stein began. “Our current obsession is online disinformation in our elections, turbocharged by AI. And so that is the subject of today’s presentation.”
Stein highlighted a recent case where the United States Department of Justice disrupted a Russian disinformation campaign involving thousands of fake social media profiles. These profiles, posing as regular Americans from diverse backgrounds, were designed to disseminate pro-Russia propaganda. “A huge amount of it was simply generated by AI technology,” Stein explained. “The news reporting on this doesn’t have all the details, but it appears that it was largely operated by a single individual who was able to generate thousands and thousands of fake social media profiles and posts because AI technology allows you to amplify your social media outputs.”
The potential for AI to amplify disinformation presents a significant challenge to election integrity. Stein elaborated on how AI-generated content can easily flood social media platforms, creating a false narrative that appears credible due to the sheer volume and apparent diversity of sources. This manipulation can influence public opinion and undermine democratic processes.
Stein’s presentation also touched on the broader implications of AI in the electoral context. “We are dealing with a very real problem that is emerging,” he stated. The use of AI in generating disinformation is not just a technical issue but a societal one that demands comprehensive strategies to counteract it.
As part of its ongoing efforts, California Common Cause is advocating for stronger regulations and better tools to identify and mitigate disinformation. The organization is also focused on public education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of AI-driven falsehoods. “Voters must understand the nature of the content they encounter online and have the tools to discern fact from fiction,” Stein emphasized.
The presentation concluded with a call to action for policymakers, tech companies, and the public to collaborate in addressing this growing threat. “We must work together to ensure that our democracy is not undermined by those who seek to spread disinformation,” Stein urged. “By staying vigilant and informed, we can protect the integrity of our elections and uphold the democratic values we cherish.”
Brandon Silverman, former CEO and Co-Founder of CrowdTangle shared invaluable insights drawn from his extensive experience in the realm of digital information dissemination.
Reflecting on his tenure at CrowdTangle, a groundbreaking platform that revolutionized how news organizations worldwide engaged with social media content, Silverman underscored the pivotal role technology plays in shaping civic and public discourse. “Platforms have become integral to the fabric of societal conversations, necessitating tools for journalists to navigate and comprehend the narratives unfolding within their communities,” remarked Silverman.
Having guided CrowdTangle through its acquisition by Meta, Silverman transitioned to spearheading transparency endeavors within the tech giant for four years, with a specific focus on combating misinformation and disinformation. Subsequently, he redirected his efforts towards advocating for enhanced transparency standards, particularly concerning journalistic endeavors.
Emphasizing the ethical dimensions of platform influence, Silverman expressed concerns regarding the disproportionate impact of social media harms on marginalized communities, particularly communities of color and ethnic groups. “The repercussions of platform dynamics often exacerbate existing disparities, necessitating a recalibration of accountability measures,” noted Silverman.
