SIIA Statement on FEC AI Interpretive Rule

The following statement from the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) can be attributed to Christopher Mohr, President.

The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) welcomes the FEC's adoption of an interpretive rule clarifying that the existing statutory prohibition of fraudulent misrepresentation in campaigns applies to deceptive AI-generated political campaign advertisements. We previously advocated for the FEC issuing this clarification of the fraudulent misrepresentation doctrine as an essential step in combating the misuse of AI-generated content, including deepfakes, to deceive voters. As misinformation created by the use of AI increases, this clarification is a vital step in addressing the role of AI in elections: fraud remains illegal, even if committed with AI.

SIIA supports the continued development of bipartisan solutions to address the challenges AI presents in political campaigns. While this regulatory clarity from the FEC is crucial, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes digital literacy, industry-led initiatives, and collaboration across sectors. We look forward to continuing our work with policymakers and across industry to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and transparent way for the purpose of reinforcing trust in our democratic process.