As artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances, concerns are growing about the potential misuse of deepfakes - synthetic media created using AI to manipulate audio, video, or images - in elections. Several states have taken steps to address this issue by introducing laws that prohibit or regulate the use of deepfakes in political campaigns. The article highlights the efforts of states like Texas, Virginia, and California to combat the spread of deepfake content that could mislead voters or undermine the integrity of elections. These laws typically make it illegal to distribute deepfakes within a certain timeframe before an election with the intent to injure a candidate’s reputation or deceive voters. However, enforcing such laws can be challenging due to the rapid evolution of AI technology and the difficulty in determining the intent behind the creation and distribution of deepfakes. The article emphasizes the importance of public awareness and media literacy to identify and counter the potential impact of deepfakes on the democratic process.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/politics/state-laws-election-ai-deepfakes/index.html