WASHINGTON: Democrats in the U.S. Congress are taking a proactive approach to tackle the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes, aiming to protect personal lives, national security, and the integrity of the upcoming 2024 elections. Led by Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington, the New Democrat Coalition, a bloc of 97 House members known for their influential policy stances, is launching a new AI working group that addresses the potential harms of deepfake technology.
The group’s agenda includes several key priorities, such as harnessing the potential benefits of AI technology and ensuring effective retraining and workforce transition for individuals due to AI. However, deepfakes have taken centre stage due to their significant threat to information integrity and public trust.
Deepfakes, which use AI to manipulate or create realistic but fabricated content, have the potential to disseminate misinformation at an unprecedented scale. This could encompass foreign actors using deepfakes for political disinformation or making false media to tarnish individuals’ reputations.
Rep. Kilmer expressed genuine concerns about the misuse of advanced AI models and the dissemination of AI-generated disinformation. He emphasized that addressing these challenges requires Congress to understand and regulate these technologies rapidly.
Kilmer was part of a bipartisan group that urged the Homeland Security Department to provide an annual report on digital developments related to forgery.
Rep. Joe Morelle from New York, another member of the New Democrat Coalition’s working group, introduced legislation that would criminalize sharing AI-generated images depicting real people in fabricated, compromising situations. A report from 2019 revealed that 96% of deepfake videos were non-consensual and pornographic.
The potential impact of Artificial Intelligence generated images on political campaigns is also raising alarms among lawmakers. Recently, a political committee supporting Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis employed AI to create an ad featuring a fabricated voice of former President Donald Trump reading a social media post he had authored.
Similarly, the Republican National Committee incorporated Artificial intelligence generated images in an ad depicting hypothetical catastrophic events that could unfold during President Joe Biden’s potential second term, such as Taiwan being bombed by China.
In response to these concerns, Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced a bill in May that would mandate the disclosure of the use of AI-generated images or videos in political advertisements.
The New Democrat Coalition’s working group is the latest in a series of Artificial Intelligence focused initiatives formed by members of Congress as AI-related discussions gain traction within Capitol Hill and the broader public discourse.
Bipartisan caucuses have emerged in both the House and the Senate, indicating the growing emphasis on AI’s regulatory landscape. Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also convened an informal working group tasked with drafting bipartisan bills to serve as the foundation for future AI legislation.
While these efforts are still in their early stages, they underscore the recognition of the urgency of AI and deepfakes. The proactive stance taken by Democrats reflects a commitment to safeguarding public trust, information accuracy, and the democratic process from emerging technological threats.