Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced that political campaigners will not be permitted to use its new generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for creating advertisements. The decision comes as Meta continues to test new AI ad creation tools in its ads manager. The company stated that advertisers running campaigns related to housing, employment, credit, social issues, elections, politics, health, pharmaceuticals, or financial services are currently restricted from using the generative AI features.
This announcement offers insights into a future where political campaigns may rely on AI to create advertisements, as well as the potential consequences of competing campaigns using this technology to sway public opinion. In April, the Republican National Committee claimed to have produced the first US political advertisement entirely created by AI. The use of AI-generated images of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris alongside negative imagery generated debate about the ethical implications of AI in political campaigns.
Timothy Kneeland, a political science and history professor, expressed concerns about the ability of the general public to discern AI-generated content and its potential economic impact on running political campaigns. While AI could reduce the campaign staff needed, Mr. Kneeland also noted that it could level the playing field by democratizing campaigns for candidates who lack significant funding.
The issue of AI-generated content causing deception was also raised by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He highlighted an AI app that convincingly depicted him delivering a speech in Chinese, a language he does not speak. Meta’s decision regarding its AI-generated advertising tool is part of a series of actions taken by Big Tech companies to address concerns about the usage of AI in political campaigns. In September, Google’s parent company Alphabet announced that political advertising content generated by AI would require disclosure.
Regulation regarding AI in political campaigns is also being considered. The US Federal Election Commission recently approved a petition to address deliberately deceptive AI campaign ads. However, the outcome and implementation of any potential regulations remain to be seen.
Overall, Meta’s decision to prohibit political campaigners from using its generative AI tools for advertisements showcases the complexity surrounding the role of AI in politics and the need for ethical considerations in campaign practices. As AI continues to advance, it is crucial for policymakers, tech companies, and the public to closely examine and address the potential implications of AI in influencing voters and shaping political campaigns.
