A Hearing

Author

Daniel Dean
May 22, 2024

Welcome to the first edition of Politics of AI. I'll explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and its political implications. From policy-making and regulatory frameworks to campaigns, this newsletter will provide in-depth analysis and timely updates. Please join me as we watch how AI shapes and is shaped by the political landscape. I will work diligently to ensure you stay informed and engaged with one of the most critical issues of our time.

A Hearing

The Senate Rules & Administration committee, headed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), held a hearing on three pieces of legislation relating to AI, with all three moving forward. The legislation banned the use of deceptive materials produced by AI in federal elections, requires the use of a disclaimer when AI produces election related content, and instructs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to produce guidelines on the use of AI.

Tech leaders have been urging Congress to take action to regulate AI. Elon Musk spoke to the BBC on the topic, urging "I think there should be a regulatory body established for overseeing AI to make sure that it does not present a danger to the public."

At the hearing, Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “Congress needs to pass bipartisan legislation like the ones introduced today.” Schumer emphasized the bipartisan nature of state level legislation regulating AI. “Harnessing the potential of AI demands an all-hands-on-deck approach and that's exactly what our bipartisan AI working group has been leading,” Leader Schumer said.

The bills are:

  • S.2770, A bill to prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media relating to candidates for Federal office, and for other purposes.

  • S.3875, A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide further transparency for the use of content that is substantially generated by artificial intelligence in political advertisements by requiring such advertisements to include a statement within the contents of the advertisements if generative AI was used to generate any image, audio, or video footage in the advertisements, and for other purposes.

  • S.3897, A bill to require the Election Assistance Commission to develop voluntary guidelines for the administration of elections that address the use and risks of artificial intelligence technologies, and for other purposes.

During a hearing in July, Klobuchar asked several questions about the potential for AI to be disruptive both in a political and business setting. A sticking point was that individuals have little practical recourse when their name or likeness is used without permission or to harm someone.

Klobuchar on X

Polliotics

The Polarization Research Lab published a new poll showing that half of Americans believe AI will negatively affect this fall’s elections. Concerns about the rise of deep fakes generated by AI have been steadily rising.

The Polarization Research Lab found that:

  • 49.8% of Americans expect AI to have negative consequences for the safety of elections.

  • 65.1% of Americans are worried that AI will harm personal privacy.

  • 40.0% of Americans think that AI will make national security worse.

  • 38.3% of Americans are concerned about the use of AI in law enforcement.

  • 50.1% of Americans anticipate elections becoming less civil due to the use of AI.

  • 49.6% of Americans are worried that AI will threaten their jobs.

Worth a look

—”The coming war between DC and silicon valley” by Matthew Kaminski of POLITICO

—”See how easily A.I. chatbots can be taught to spew disinformation” via Jeremy White of The New York Times

—”With GOP opposed, U.S. Senate panel advances bills to combat AI in elections” by Zachary Roth of the Iowa Capital Dispatch

—”U.S. elections face more threats from foreign actors and artificial intelligence” by Shannon Bond of Georgia Public Broadcasting

Authored by Daniel Dean with the assistance of AI.