AI is a concern in politics — can Congress solve it?

Imagine it’s two days before voters head to the polls, and an explosive video begins to spread online apparently showing one of the candidates on a racial slur-laden outburst. It sounds and looks just like the candidate. Only it isn’t real. The whole thing has been created through artificial intelligence (AI) as a “deep fake” to mislead the public. It could easily tip the scales in a tight election. In another scenario, imagine getting a robocall from a high-profile politician sharing polling place details. Only they it’s the wrong location and the politician’s voice has been faked.Those are just a couple of the scenarios that could have a massive impact on the 2024 election cycle as the growth of AI goes largely unchecked. A hearing will be held Wednesday to examine what effect AI can have on the 2024 election and elections in general. “I think there’s definitely a realistic path forward,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) told The Hill. Even with Congress at a stalemate on many issues, the concerns about artificial intelligence have dominated several recent hearings. In Wednesday’s hearing, members of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee will hear mostly from regulators on a proposal to require watermarks or other signifiers when an image or voice isn’t real. AI has been a topic that has confounded many, much less an aging Congress where members average 64 years old. “I think the American people are demanding that we do something,” Bennet said. The hearing will focus on ways to…AI is a concern in politics — can Congress solve it?