AIandYou, a nonprofit organization funded in part by Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic organization, has launched a multicultural campaign to combat misinformation surrounding the 2024 election. The campaign aims to help people identify synthetic images and false information generated by artificial intelligence (AI), including realistic images and cloned human voices.
Targeting multicultural and predominantly Democratic voters, AIandYou’s campaign is the first of its kind to address AI and the 2024 election. The nonprofit is supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), which has provided $125,000 in grants since 2020.
In a survey conducted by Aki Technologies, participants expressed a growing desire for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in both brands and electoral candidates. They believed that brands and retailers should prioritize these values, with 53% stating that they would be more loyal to authentically diverse and inclusive brands. This sentiment extends to electoral candidates as well.
The AIandYou campaign focuses on educating voters about misinformation and how they can utilize AI tools to ensure an accurate vote. Its main target audience comprises young voters of color and women, given their significance in elections.
The nonprofit’s goal is to demystify new technologies, such as AI, by providing understandable information on their implications in various areas, including online safety, education, elections, health, housing, jobs, and finances. AIandYou aims to analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of AI.
Through a video on their website, AIandYou emphasizes the importance of voter protection against AI-generated misinformation. The video highlights personalized ad targeting, manipulated information to deceive voters, and the use of deepfakes to disseminate false statements. It advises viewers to thoroughly research any election-related information they come across.
In early 2024, AIandYou plans to launch a deepfake ad based on AI-generated content. This will serve as an opportunity for voters to familiarize themselves with the technology and its potential impact on the election. Possible examples include President Joe Biden appearing to say something he didn’t, accompanied by a message at the end clarifying it as misinformation. Sensis, an ad agency involved in the campaign, is still developing the ads.
By taking proactive measures against misinformation, AIandYou aims to empower voters and enhance their understanding of AI’s influence in the electoral process. The nonprofit’s efforts align with the growing demand for diverse and inclusive behavior from both brands and electoral candidates. With their campaign, AIandYou seeks to bridge the gap between technology and voter awareness, allowing individuals to make informed decisions based on accurate information.
