Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier for Voter Suppression
Deepfake Robocall Targets New Hampshire Voters
A recent robocall claiming to be from President Joe Biden urging New Hampshire residents not to vote in the upcoming Democratic presidential primary has raised concerns among disinformation experts and technology researchers. The call, which the state’s attorney general’s office has labeled as an apparent attempt to suppress voter turnout, is believed to have been created using artificial intelligence (AI), specifically a deepfake technology.
What is Deepfake?
Deepfake refers to fake audio or video content generated using AI that is designed to imitate real people, often without their knowledge or consent. These synthetic media can be highly convincing, making it challenging to distinguish them from genuine recordings.
Identifying Deepfakes: A Cat and Mouse Game
Lindsay Gorman, an expert in emerging technologies and disinformation at the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy, explains that identifying deepfakes is an evolving challenge as developers continuously refine the technology. In the case of audio deepfakes, unnatural cadence and robotic speech patterns can be indicators of manipulation. However, deepfake software has become more sophisticated, addressing issues such as erratic eye movements in visual deepfakes.
AI Legislation and the Need for Regulation
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, has introduced an AI legislative framework in the Senate to address the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the need for decisive action to prevent the misuse of AI, particularly in the context of disinformation campaigns.
Deepfake Technology and Voter Suppression
While federal law prohibits attempts to prevent individuals from voting or registering to vote, there is currently minimal regulation governing the deceptive use of AI. Mekela Panditharatne, senior counsel at the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, points out that while using deepfake technology to suppress votes in a U.S. presidential primary may be a novel tactic, employing robocalls for vote suppression is not new.
Robocalls: A Tool for Misinformation and Voter Suppression
Robocalls have been historically used by deceptive actors to spread false information about voting procedures and locations, aiming to discourage people from participating in elections. The emergence of voice-generation AI, such as deepfake technology, potentially enhances the attractiveness of this method of attempted vote suppression for malicious individuals.
Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Action
The deepfake robocall targeting New Hampshire voters highlights the urgent need for comprehensive regulation of AI technology, particularly in the realm of elections and political campaigns. Lawmakers, technology companies, and civil society organizations must collaborate to develop safeguards against the malicious use of AI to protect the integrity of democratic processes and ensure that voters are not misled or manipulated.
A Call to Action
The threat of AI-powered voter suppression is real and growing. We must demand that our elected officials take action to protect our democracy from this new and insidious threat. We must also educate ourselves and our communities about the risks of deepfakes and other forms of AI-powered disinformation. By working together, we can ensure that AI is used for good, not evil.