Their concerns reflect larger questions facing candidates about how to properly prepare for an unregulated and unstable technology environment as the high-stakes election gets into full swing.
“AI has great potential, but it also poses significant risks without the proper guardrails,” Westford state Rep. Lori Trahan said in a statement to the Globe. “we, [Federal Election Commission] Issue clear guidance without delay…so bad actors can be held accountable for using AI to deceive voters. ”
AI is already playing a growing role in the political ecosystem, with generative tools like ChatGPT appearing in campaign ads and social media platforms. Candidates can also use this technology as a tool to send precise messages to specific audiences.
An ad by Never Back Down, a super PAC that supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the presidential election, used artificial intelligence to imitate President Trump's voice criticizing Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Chris Lacivita, Trump's co-campaign manager, told Politico that it was a “desperate attempt to mislead the American people.”
In another example, the Republican National Committee ran an ad featuring an AI-generated dystopian image of what the country could look like under a second Biden term. The following month, Democrats introduced a bill that would require the disclosure of AI-generated images and videos in political ads, but neither chamber has voted in favor of the bill.
In New Hampshire, unauthorized robocalls masquerading as messages from Biden urging voters not to vote in the presidential primary on January 23 triggered a state criminal investigation. A New Orleans magician told NBC News that a consultant for a rival campaign hired him to create the audio.
It was because of these robocalls that Kathy Sullivan, a Biden supporter and a major Democratic figure in New Hampshire politics, suddenly became an expert on the use of AI in campaigns. The phone was accidentally linked to her number.
“All candidates must have: [AI] Because when it comes to election interference, it doesn't just happen at the top of the ticket,” Sullivan said. “If you're going to participate in a Congressional or Senate election, you need to be fully prepared. If this happened to you, what would your plans be? Who would you talk to? How would you get the word across?” Are you planning on doing that?”
Sullivan's advice for candidates is to keep supporters on the lookout for information that appears questionable or out of touch with the nature of the campaign, and to have a dedicated staff member on alert for these types of threats. It includes asking for.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Boston said that despite the rise in political threats and violence in recent years, AI doesn't feel like an immediate concern, at least to her. She said she is not aware of any instances where her team has had to respond to AI abuses related to her, and she has also directed her team to make additional preparations for this year's elections. No, she said.
“I'm sure there's already some planning in place,” Pressley said. “But that is not what I urged.” Her campaign said in a statement that the AI threat only highlights the importance of community organizing.
Artificial intelligence experts worry that the technology could aid foreign election interference and make it easier for bad actors to flood voters with contradictory information and cause confusion.
“My biggest concern is that people will feel so overwhelmed and find it so difficult to get information that they will just throw up their hands. And what foreign adversaries actually win is because It's when voters decide they're not going to engage and participate in our democracy,” said Giore Craig, resident senior fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
And while many experts and political observers say it's too early to tell how big of a factor artificial intelligence and its abuses will be in this year's elections, it's incumbent on voters to figure it out. There is a widespread belief that they should not be held liable. Is election-related content authentic?
“Artificial intelligence may be an example of us not thinking fast enough,” said Rep. Seth Moulton of Salem. “Where is the party’s task force on AI?” Where is the world-leading effort that Democrats should lead to show how it can be leveraged? Why is there no AI policy from the Democratic Party?”
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of the House Democratic Party, does not provide uniform guidance to candidates or provide explanations about AI. However, a DCCC spokesperson said, Jose Muñoz said: The group provides online surveillance on behalf of Democratic House candidates, especially those in battleground districts, to ensure voters are well-informed about what they stand for in advance of misinformation. encouraging candidates.
“The focus has really been on being able to provide surveillance and identify potential threats,” Muñoz said.
Not everyone views AI with skepticism. For some, the potential benefits outweigh the risks of malicious use.
“The purpose of a campaign is to allocate limited resources as efficiently as possible and develop a message from the candidate that gives them the best chance of winning a majority,” said Republican strategist and 2012 said Zach Moffat, former digital director for President Mitt Romney. motion. “To me, the tools of AI and all the other tools help you identify the people who are most receptive to your message, and they help you identify your weaknesses.”
Lawmakers like Auchincloss and Sen. Ed Markey (the only member of the Massachusetts delegation not up for re-election this year) have proposed legislative ideas to regulate AI.But many people said It is not yet clear how big a role it will play in the election.
“Three words: Continue, because I think things are going to happen that we didn't even expect,” said Rep. Bill Keating of Bourne. “That's what I'm scared of.”
Charlotte Ehrlich can be reached at charlotte.ehrlich.globe.com. Lissandra Villa de Petrzelca can be reached at lissandra.villa@globe.com.follow her @LissandraVilla.