Tech Titans Commit to Curb AI Misuse in Global Elections
Summary:
Twenty artificial intelligence tech companies, including giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, pledge to prevent the misuse of their software in influencing election results. The commitment comes amid growing concerns about the potential of AI-generated content to manipulate public opinion. While the move is applauded by some, it faces skepticism from others who recall previous unfulfilled promises by tech companies for election integrity.
On Friday, Feb. 16, a group of 20 technology companies specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) pledged to prevent the misuse of their software in global elections, including in the U.S. The pledge arrives amid growing concerns surrounding the potential manipulation of public opinion through misleading AI content, which threatens the authenticity of election processes. The companies involved recognise that lax regulation by world governments in relation to rapid advancements in AI technology has necessitated an industry-led approach to self-regulation. Adding weight to this sentiment, Microsoft's Vice Chair and President Brad Smith adds, “As society reaps the rewards of AI, it's crucial we play our part in ensuring these tools don't aid in distorting election results.”
The signatories to this promise encompass prominent tech leaders such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, LinkedIn, IBM, Adobe and others. Free Press, a group advocating for an open internet, downplayed the pledge as a vacuous gesture, pointing out that similar commitments to maintain election integrity after 2020 have failed to translate into significant action thus far. They call for stronger human oversight.
Following this pledge, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from New York's 9th District has called on Congress to expand upon it. Highlighting the importance of the issue, she says, “This is a turning point for Congress as this potentially unifying issue offers us the chance to collectively guard our nation and the generations to come.”
In light of this, Clarke has proposed new laws to regulate the use of deepfakes and AI-generated content in political campaigns. A recent move by the Federal Communications Commission on January 31 to ban AI-generated phone calls with artificial voices further underscores the urgency of this issue. This decision comes following a deceptive robocall incident, which used a falsified voice of President Joe Biden to alarm voters in New Hampshire, raising worries about the possible use of simulated voices, images, and videos in politics.
Published At
2/17/2024 1:22:18 PM
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