CHICAGO (WLS) — In January, two days before voters went to the polls for the New Hampshire primary, a robocall went out urging people to “save” their vote for November.
The phone call was reportedly overheard by President Joe Biden and he used the phrase “what a bunch of crap,” a phrase he has a history of uttering. Prosecutors say the call was a bunch of crap and that he used an AI-generated voice.
ABC7 Chicago is now available to stream 24/7. Click here to watch
The political consultant who allegedly instigated the affair is accused of preventing voters from casting their ballots and impersonating a candidate.
Erik Nisbet is a professor of policy analysis and communication in the School of Communication at Northwestern University.
“This will be the first major campaign cycle with the use of AI. And I think it will be a testing ground for how AI will be used by campaigns, by candidates, as well as by bad actors, whether it’s China, Russia, or domestic actors who want to interfere in elections. So I think the lessons they learn from this will actually have a very important impact on future elections,” Nisbet said.
In a country where divisions run deep, Nisbet believes AI will only deepen the divisions.
In a country where divisions run deep, Professor Erik Nisbet believes AI will only deepen the divisions.
“We’re still trying to understand the impact of digital media on polarizing our politics. We haven’t really figured out how to manage that yet. AI is going to amplify those problems in terms of misinformation, with bad actors using it to create political divisions. It’s also going to be interesting to see how campaigns use it,” Nisbet said.
AI will likely be used in key states, Nisbet says. But how can malicious actors be held accountable?
“There are currently no federal regulations on the use of AI in election campaigns,” Nisbet added. “Different states are adopting different regulations. Some states have laws, some have them pending. In Illinois, there are two bills pending in the House and Senate regarding the use of AI in elections. The use of fake voices or images is pending. But this is going to create a kind of hodgepodge of laws nationwide regarding AI in elections.”
He says that right now it’s kind of a “Wild West” when it comes to elections and AI.
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.
