Detroit Regional Chamber
09/25/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/25/2024 09:30
Navigating AI and Misinformation During the 2024 Elections
Navigating AI and Misinformation During the 2024 Elections
September 25, 2024Takeaways
- Like with other scams, identifying AI misinformation starts with being wary of content that brings immediate strong emotions.
- Big technology companies like Microsoft are working on website portals to report AI misinformation easily.
- Business leaders can cut through disruptive misinformation by transparently sharing nonpartisan information through Michigan Business United for Elections.
On Sept. 24, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted a webinar with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Ginny Badanes, General Manager of Microsoft's Democracy Forward, who discussed how AI can be misused to deceive the public about candidates, ballot locations, and voting locations, as well as how businesses can help combat misinformation from AI within and outside their organizations during Election season.
Amid the Era of Misinformation
Opening the webinar, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah reminded the audience of the jarring findings from the Chamber's most recent Michigan Voters Poll: 68% of surveyed voters being dissatisfied with the condition of U.S. democracy and 5% of voters believing that violence is acceptable if their candidate loses the election. Baruah said that these findings underscore the importance of the stability of our society and the strength of our democracy.
Empowering Everyone to be Critical Consumers and Creators of Information
Badanes admitted that it is still challenging to immediately identify AI-created misinformation. However, everyone can take some key steps that are similar when assessing other online scams: always take caution and check in with yourself if any strong emotions occur when coming across questionable content.
"It does go back to a healthy skepticism of what you're seeing online," Badanes said. "If you see something that gives you a very emotional reaction or [leans] into a narrative that you're already inclined to believe … before assuming it's true … just take a moment to ask: Could this have been AI-generated?"
Throughout the conversation, both Badanes and Benson also stressed the importance of citizens seeking information from authoritative sources and trusted election officials. They discuss Microsoft's "Check Recheck Vote" campaign, which encourages people to double-check the sources of information they come across, especially if it strikes as odd.
"Go to the trusted source," Badanes said. "Make sure you're looking to your election officials. Make sure you're looking to those in your community, who you can trust to send accurate information."
Despite the startling dark realities of AI, Badanes admitted her optimism for the future of AI usage, citing the innovation and creative uses of the technology to encourage voter registration and participation worldwide.
"I'll say this is an area that, frankly, as we went into this global election cycle, the U.S. kind of caps off a year of global elections where billions of people have voted," she said. "And there's been a lot of concern about how AI may be used, particularly by adversaries, to disrupt that process, and the good news is that it doesn't look like it's been super impactful yet."
How Tech Companies Are Fighting Back Against AI Misinformation
Badanes discussed the obligation of tech companies, especially those specializing in AI, to prevent election misinformation from being spread to the public. One of the most recent efforts is creating a Reporting Portal to easily report deceptive AI targeting ads found on the Internet, including some social media sites and search engines.
"Microsoft has a link where if you believe there's a deep fake of a candidate or an election scenario, you can report it, and we will do forensics and then take action as appropriate and share it with the appropriate authorities as well," Badanes said. "We're not all the way there yet, but I do think these kinds of cross-industry efforts … will create a better information environment as we get towards the elections."
Michigan Business: Share Nonpartisan Voting Information With Your Employees
Recent studies have shown businesses and employers have become among the most trusted voices people interact with regularly.
Michigan Business United for Elections is a collaboration between the Chamber and the Michigan Department of State to restore faith in the election process and ensure that every Michigander who is legally eligible can cast their vote.
The Chamber calls upon its members to join Michigan Business United for Elections and leverage their role in their community to ensure safe, secure, and accessible elections in Michigan in 2024.