It’s that time again in New York: the leaves are turning, the air is getting crisp, and the November general election is fast approaching. But this year, there’s a new kind of shadow hanging over the ballot box, and state Attorney General Letitia James wants voters to be ready. As New Yorkers gear up to cast their ballots, they’re facing something their parents and grandparents never had to deal with—a flood of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation that can look and sound startlingly real. James has stepped up with a clear warning: AI-generated videos, images, and audio recordings have become so sophisticated over the past year that even savvy voters can be fooled. This isn’t just about a few weird deepfakes circulating online; it’s about the very foundation of democracy. If people can’t trust what they see, hear, and read about candidates and the voting process, the whole idea of an informed electorate starts to crumble. The Attorney General’s Office has been tracking this growing threat, and the findings are sobering. It’s not just fake content that’s the problem—AI chatbots, which millions of people now rely on for quick answers, have proven capable of confidently serving up incorrect information about polling locations, voting deadlines, and voter requirements. In other words, the very tools designed to make life easier could be quietly steering voters in the wrong direction, and James is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen this November.
Imagine this: you’re sitting at home a few days before Election Day, you pull out your phone, and you see a video of a candidate saying something absolutely outrageous. It’s grainy enough to seem authentic, but the voice sounds just like them, the mannerisms are right, and the clip is being shared by people you trust. You’d probably be upset, maybe even angry enough to change your vote. But what if that video was completely fabricated by an AI program? This is the reality voters are facing, and it’s why James’s message is so urgent. The Attorney General’s Office has found that AI-generated political content has become increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality. It’s not just videos, either—fake images and voice recordings are being used to smear candidates, spread chaos, and manipulate public opinion. At the same time, AI chatbots are adding another layer of confusion. You might ask a chatbot for basics like “What time do the polls open in my area?” or “What ID do I need to bring?” and get an answer that sounds perfectly helpful but is completely wrong. As James put it, “When New Yorkers head to the polls, they deserve to have accurate information to cast an informed vote. AI has made it easier than ever for bad actors to spread convincing lies about candidates and about when, where, and how to vote, and chatbots can confidently give voters the wrong answer.” It’s a chilling thought, but the point isn’t to scare people away from voting—it’s to arm them with the knowledge they need to cut through the noise and find the truth.
So what can you do to protect yourself? The Attorney General’s Office has put together a set of practical, down-to-earth tips that anyone can follow, and they start with a simple rule: go to the source. If you have any question about how, when, or where to vote, don’t ask an algorithm—ask the people who are actually in charge of elections. Your local board of elections and the New York State Board of Elections are the only authority when it comes to accurate voting information. It might feel a little old-school, but picking up the phone or visiting the official website is the surest way to get a real, reliable answer. If you’re in the middle of the voting period and something feels off, you can also call the Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-390-2992 to ask questions or file a complaint. The second rule is just as important: don’t rely on AI chatbots for election information. Yes, they’re convenient, and yes, they’re becoming a part of everyday life, but when it comes to your vote, they’re not your friend. Chatbots don’t actually “know” anything—they predict words based on patterns, and they can be just as wrong as they are confident. If you do use a chatbot, treat its answer as a starting point, not a final truth, and always double-check with official sources. And finally, be skeptical of anything election-related that comes across your feed. That dramatic campaign video, that scandalous audio clip, that shocking photo—take a moment before you believe it, because it might be fake, manipulated, or built from scratch by someone who wants to influence your vote.
There’s another side to this, though, and it’s about the responsibility we all share. The Attorney General’s Office is also urging New Yorkers to be careful about what they share. It’s easy to hit that retweet button or forward that text in the heat of the moment, but if you haven’t verified the content, you could be doing real harm. Spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, chips away at trust and makes it harder for everyone to figure out what’s real. So the rule is simple: don’t share unverified content. If you see something that looks suspicious, don’t just pass it along—check it first. The office also encourages people to report suspected deepfakes and manipulated content. Most social media platforms have processes for flagging these kinds of things, and you can also contact the Attorney General’s Office directly to report election misinformation. In fact, if you come across a voting-related video, image, or audio recording that seems manipulated and doesn’t have an AI disclosure label, you’re urged to call the Election Protection Hotline at the same number: 1-866-390-2992. And beyond all that, one of the best habits you can build is simply verifying information across multiple reliable sources. When you see a claim about a candidate or a voting rule, don’t just take it at face value. Check official election authorities, compare what you’re reading with trusted news outlets, and talk to people who are knowledgeable. The internet makes it easy to find information, but it also makes it easy to find misinformation. A little healthy skepticism goes a long way.
This is about more than just one election cycle, of course. The fight against AI-generated misinformation is happening all over the country, and it’s not going to disappear after November. In fact, it’s likely to get worse in the years to come, as the technology becomes even more advanced and even harder to detect. That’s why the habits I’m talking about are so important—they’re not just skills for this election, but life skills for navigating an increasingly digital world. Think about the people you love, especially those who might be less tech-savvy. Maybe it’s your grandmother, your uncle, or the neighbor down the street. They might not know what a deepfake is, or how easily a chatbot can get things wrong. They might see a convincing fake video and take it seriously. That’s why being an informed voter isn’t just a personal responsibility—it’s a community one. You can help by sharing these tips with the people around you, gently reminding them to check official sources, and encouraging them to pause before they share something questionable. It’s about becoming a trusted source of truth in your own circle. The Attorney General’s Office is doing its part by spreading awareness and providing resources, but government agencies can’t be everywhere at once. Real legions of informed citizens are the ones who can make the biggest difference, one conversation at a time. And when it comes to AI, remember that the technology is still a tool—a powerful one, yes, but a tool nonetheless. It can be used to deceive, but it can also be understood, scrutinized, and kept in check with the right mindset.
As the fall days roll on and the November election draws closer, take a deep breath. Yes, the landscape of information feels more complicated than ever, and yes, there are bad actors out there who want to sow confusion and division. But you are not powerless. You have resources, you have support, and you have the ability to make smart, informed choices. The Attorney General’s Office has given you a clear map: check official sources, don’t trust chatbots on voting information, be skeptical of election-related media, avoid sharing unverified content, report suspicious deepfakes, verify across multiple trustworthy sources, and call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-390-2992 if you see something that looks wrong. This is the playbook for protecting your vote and protecting our democracy. Voting is one of the most fundamental rights we have as Americans, and it’s a shame to let a machine-made lie take that away from you. When you step into that voting booth or drop your ballot in the mail, you deserve to do so with confidence—knowing that you’ve separated fact from fiction and made your choice based on the real information. The future of our communities, our state, and our country depends on it. So let’s meet this challenge head-on, with open eyes and a healthy dose of skepticism. Let’s look out for one another, share only what we know to be true, and refuse to be manipulated by forces that don’t have our best interests at heart. The polls are waiting, the ballots are printed, and your voice matters. Make sure it’s an informed one.