Generative AI threats to elections topic of task force Oct. 8, 2024 Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, pictured in this 2024 file photo, is a co-chair of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force. A high-resolution photo can be found here. FRANKFORT — Generative artificial intelligence programs can clone people’s faces and voices to disseminate harmful, false messages. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams told the Artificial Intelligence Task Force on Tuesday how this technology, also known as deep fakes, harms elections. Adams shared a quote from a Foreign Affairs Magazine article co-authored by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab that resonated with him: “Specifically, generative AI will amplify cybersecurity risks and make it easier, faster and cheaper to flood the country with fake content.” Earlier this year in New Hampshire, a political consultant used AI to generate a robocall impersonating the president’s voice. The call urged voters not to vote in the primary. Adams said this is one example of how generative AI is being used to undermine the electoral process. “Should you take up AI legislation when you return in 2025, I would encourage you to consider prohibiting impersonation of election officials,” Adams said. “It is illegal to impersonate a peace officer and for good reason. It should be equally illegal to impersonate a secretary of state or county clerk and put out false information in any format about our elections.” Task force co-chair Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, filed Senate Bill 131 during the 2024 legislative session. It would have allowed candidates to take legal action against deep fake sponsors. The bill was approved by the Senate, but did not become law before the end of the legislative session. Adams said he was grateful for her work. Mays Bledsoe said she agrees that deep fake technology poses a great danger to voters, but there is “tension” between free speech and the laws. “Do you have any thoughts on what’s that balance between the free speech element and the protection of the (election) process?” she asked. Adams said he thinks some protections can be added to the laws on impersonating public officials and others related to voter intimidation and suppression. He also mentioned the Federal Election Commission is considering a disclaimer requirement for political ads using generative AI. “If there is a disclaimer requirement and no one is told they can’t say something, I think that easily passes muster,” Adams said. “There are a lot of disclaimer requirements in just a standard ad … I think very clearly a disclaimer law is constitutional and would easily pass review.” Mays Bledsoe said disclosure was part of SB 131, but there was some criticism that disclosures are hard to read or spot in an ad. Utilizing voice-actors is another way people can impersonate elected officials or candidates. Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, asked Adams if he is wants to only address AI impersonations or take on voice-actor ones as well. “I don’t think people should use any technology to impersonate an election official and put out false information about the elections,” Adams said, citing a chapter of state statute, KRS Chapter 119, which creates prohibitions on various harmful elections practices. Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, is the other co-chair of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force. He said he thinks Adams’s policy recommendations are “reasonable.” “It’s something I know we’ve debated internally. We’ve had Senate bills filed, we’ve had House bills filed, and it’s very clear that this is something that’s going to be with us as technology evolves,” Bray said. The Artificial Intelligence Task Force is a special committee tasked with studying AI systems and how they’re being used by Kentucky government agencies and other states. The task force will provide recommendations on how Kentucky’s use of AI systems would benefit state agencies and the legislative initiatives needed to provide consumer protection in the private and public sectors. The task force’s next meeting is currently scheduled for 11 a.m. on Oct. 29. The post Generative AI threats to elections topic of task force appeared first on The Lexington Times.