NC looks to regulate AI use in political ads
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Disclaimers may soon be required in North Carolina political advertisements that use artificial intelligence under legislation state lawmakers are advancing.
Why it matters: We're heading into the first major election cycle in which generative AI will be widely available to voters, governments and political campaigns, Axios' Yacob Reyes wrote when Florida lawmakers began considering similar legislation earlier this year.
- And yet, there are currently no limits on how it can be used in elections in North Carolina.
State of play: The state House and Senate passed their own proposals this week that would have regulated the use of AI in political ads, though neither bill passed the opposing chamber.
- It's also unclear if the legislature will pass either bill ahead of the November election, as lawmakers wrapped up the bulk of this year's legislative session this week.
How it works: Any political advertisements — including phone calls, texts or emails — created using AI must include a disclaimer stating "This advertisement was created using artificial intelligence" under the House's proposal, which includes generative AI in its definition.
- Only misleading television, print or radio political ads would need to include a disclaimer under the Senate's proposal, however.
- That legislation states content that uses specifically generative AI and "appears to depict an individual performing an action that did not actually occur," is false or misleading to a voter or was "created to injure a candidate or deceive regarding a ballot issue" must include a disclaimer that states "the content in this advertisement has been edited or created in whole or in part with the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)."
- Violations would be a Class 1 misdemeanor in both proposals.
Between the lines: The Senate's AI proposal is included in a bill that would make other controversial changes to election laws, so unlike the House's proposal, the Senate's does not have bipartisan support.
Threat level: AI is just one category in a growing list of problems for election officials, from a poll worker shortage to violent threats and cybersecurity attacks, Axios' Ryan Heath writes.
- Conditions are ripe for bad actors to use generative AI to amplify efforts to suppress votes, libel candidates and incite violence.