The advancement of deepfake technology poses significant threats, including the spread of disinformation, unauthorized use of musicians’ likenesses, and the creation of nonconsensual explicit material involving minors and public figures. As artificial intelligence capabilities continue to evolve, these challenges are expected to become more widespread and malicious.
To address this issue, both technical and legal solutions are crucial. IBM, for instance, has joined the Munich Tech Accord, committing to combat the deceptive use of AI in the 2024 elections. The company has been a vocal advocate for regulations targeting harmful technology applications.
Here are three primary priorities for policymakers to tackle the negative impacts of deepfakes:
1. Protecting Elections: Deepfakes can be utilized to impersonate political figures and candidates, leading to voter manipulation and mistrust in democratic processes. Regulations such as the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act aim to prevent the distribution of misleading deepfake content related to elections.
2. Empowering Candidates: Policies should allow candidates targeted by AI-generated deceptive content to seek recourse and have such content removed without infringing on freedom of speech.
3. Enhancing Public Awareness: Educating the public about deepfakes and their potential dangers is essential in combating their harmful effects on society.
By implementing these strategies, policymakers can work towards safeguarding the integrity of elections and preserving trust in democratic systems amidst the rise of deepfake technology.
