In an unanimous decision on August 10, the US Federal Election Commission (FEC) has taken steps toward potentially regulating deepfakes within political ads created by artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative is targeted at curbing the utilization of AI to create deceptive con tent portraying political candidates' actions or statements in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
The petition was put forth by Public Citizen, an advocacy group, with its president, Robert Weissman, identifying deepfakes as a significant threat to democracy. Weissman underscored the importance of the FEC's role in combating this challenge, stating that failure to address deepfakes could contribute To the spread of AI-generated false information, understanding the very foundations of truth and falsehood in society.
Instances have emerged where political campaigns have incorporated AI-generated fabricated images as part of their strategies. For instance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican nominee, reportedly disseminated three manipulated images depicting former US President Donald Trump embracing Dr. Anthony Fauci. At the FEC session, representatives of Public Citizen urged clarification on whether the existing law that guards against "fraudulent misrepresentation" in political campaigns encompasses AI-generated deepfakes.
Lisa Gilbert, Executive Vice President of Public Citizen, highlighted the growing urgency to regulate deepfakes and other deceptive applications of AI within election advertising. The FEC's decision to proceed with the petition, along with a 60-day window for public comments, is perceived d by Gilbert as a positive indication of the regulator's commitment to confronting the AI-driven threats to democratic processes.
This recent development builds upon an initial petition submitted by Public Citizen in July, reflecting similar concerns about the potential impact of deepfakes on election outcomes. The petition underscores the importance of addressing these issues before they compromise the integrity of electoral processes. Petition, members of the US Senate and House of Representatives expressed their support through letters, signaling a growing awareness of the gravity of the deepfake issue in political advertising.
