AI generated deceptive content can impact US Elections
With just a few taps, anyone can now publish news, thoughts, experiences, feedback, consipiracy and #misinformation online instantly. Social media in particular has become incredibly popular, with millions of people using it daily.
In fact, about 200 million people in the United States alone check their social media at least once per day. Social media has even surpassed traditional news sources in popularity, with 76% of U.S. adults using social media at least once daily.
However, this ease of information sharing comes with significant downsides. Despite how often people use social media, trust in these platforms remains low. Facebook, for instance, is the social media site that users trust the least.
The real THREAT
The spread of #misinformation on social media poses a particular threat to democratic processes. In May 2024, the U.S. Senate Rules Committee passed three bipartisan bills to address the impact of AI on elections, including the ‘Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act.’(2)
Election-related disinformation continues to reach millions of viewers on social platforms. As AI technology grows more easy to access and sophisticated, it becomes more difficult for voters to diffrentiate between real information from #deepfake content about candidates or voting procedures.
Some states are taking action!
California recently passed laws requiring social media companies to moderate election-related AI “deepfakes.” However, addressing this complex issue will likely require a multi-faceted approach involving tech companies, legislators, educators, and individual users(1).
What should we do as social media users to deal with Election Misinformation?
As social media users, we must remain vigilant about its potential to spread #misinformation and disinformation. Developing AI literacy and digital literacy skills and supporting quality journalism are crucial as we navigate 2024 US Elctions.
Resources:
- California Passes Election ‘Deepfake’ Laws, Forcing Social Media Companies to Take Action
- Klobuchar, Warner press tech leaders to take action against election-related disinformation