The AI Disinformation Threat to American Elections
The 2024 US presidential election is unfolding amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a readily available tool capable of generating sophisticated disinformation campaigns. This poses an unprecedented challenge to the electorate and the integrity of the American political system. Unlike previous elections where misinformation was largely confined to manipulated narratives or doctored images, AI now empowers anyone to create realistic deepfakes – fabricated videos, images, and voice recordings – capable of deceiving even seasoned politicians. The scale and speed at which this AI-generated content can be disseminated make it exceptionally difficult for fact-checkers and journalists to counter, potentially swaying public opinion and influencing election outcomes.
Brookings Institution experts Darrell West and Nicol Turner Lee, both deeply involved in technology policy research, offer insights into the nature and severity of this threat. West, co-author of "Lies that Kill: A Citizen’s Guide to Disinformation,” highlights the democratization of disinformation technology. AI tools, once requiring specialized expertise, now operate through user-friendly templates, enabling widespread manipulation of media. He recounts the alarming case of Senator Ben Cardin, who was tricked by a deepfake impersonating a Ukrainian official, illustrating how easily even experienced individuals can be deceived. The proliferation of fabricated videos, images, and conspiracy theories online, reaching millions within minutes, creates a fertile ground for distrust and undermines the shared understanding of facts essential for a functioning democracy.
Turner Lee, director of the Center for Technology Innovation and author of "Digitally Invisible: How the Internet is Creating the New Underclass," emphasizes the ease with which AI can be misused. She shares a personal anecdote about her daughter using a voice extraction tool, highlighting the dual-edged nature of AI technology where benign applications coexist with potential for malicious exploitation. The increasing sophistication of AI-generated deepfakes, coupled with the profit incentives driving the development of these tools, makes it increasingly challenging to distinguish real from fake. The proliferation of disinformation, no longer confined to isolated incidents, now manifests as a complex web of interconnected falsehoods eroding trust across multiple facets of society, from healthcare and the economy to personal relationships and, crucially, political discourse.
Both West and Turner Lee stress the inadequacy of current regulatory frameworks to combat this technologically driven disinformation. While social media platforms implemented content moderation strategies in the 2020 election, many have since scaled back these efforts, citing the difficulty of policing a polarized information landscape. This reluctance to act as arbiters of truth has created a "Wild West" environment online, where false narratives can spread unchecked. They both advocate for stronger legislative action. West suggests disclosure requirements for AI-generated content in political campaigns, alongside regulations targeting harmful disinformation, mirroring efforts already underway in some states. Turner Lee supports digital watermarking to identify AI-generated content and increased funding for fact-checking and media literacy initiatives.
Beyond regulatory measures, the experts emphasize the importance of international cooperation. West advocates for international agreements to prevent information warfare, similar to treaties limiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He emphasizes the shared vulnerability of nations to disinformation attacks and the potential for mutually assured destruction in the digital realm. Turner Lee notes the success of international cooperation in tracking down foreign actors involved in disinformation campaigns but highlights the growing trend of foreign entities utilizing domestic actors as proxies, adding another layer of complexity to the challenge.
The future of American democracy, in the face of this evolving AI-driven disinformation threat, remains uncertain. Both West and Turner Lee express cautious optimism. West believes the current election cycle presents a “teachable moment” prompting greater awareness and potentially future legislative action. Turner Lee stresses the importance of maintaining human agency over technology, emphasizing that democracy is ultimately about people and their ability to discern truth from falsehood. They both agree that the pervasiveness of disinformation across various platforms and the ease of its creation contribute to heightened anxiety and psychological manipulation, underscoring the urgency for solutions. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, they emphasize the need for robust regulations, public education, and international collaboration to ensure that this powerful technology serves democratic values rather than undermining them.
