Lawmakers and state officials are closely monitoring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the upcoming 2024 US Elections. X’s native AI chatbot, Grok, recently came under scrutiny when it provided users with incorrect election information, including inaccurate ballot deadlines for multiple states. Secretaries of State for Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington demanded action from X after conducting investigations.
In response to the concerns raised by state officials, X made improvements to Grok. The chatbot now displays a Vote.gov banner and directs users to visit the site for accurate and up-to-date information about the 2024 US Elections. While X did not enter into a partnership similar to OpenAI’s collaboration with the National Association of Secretaries of State, state leaders appreciated the company’s effort to enhance their platform.
Despite the positive response to Grok’s update, lawmakers remain vigilant regarding the spread of election misinformation and deepfakes by both industry players and federal agencies. A coalition of Democratic lawmakers, along with consumer rights watchdog Public Citizen, petitioned the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to clarify its stance on AI-generated synthetic images of candidates.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for the FEC to establish rules on the use of “deceptive AI” and determine whether such practices can be classified as “fraudulent misrepresentation” in campaigning. They specifically mentioned Grok 2, the latest version of the chatbot, which introduced new image generation capabilities. The lawmakers highlighted the potential for AI to amplify deception in an already saturated ecosystem of false content.
Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown stressed the responsibility of technology companies like Twitter and Elon Musk to implement and require responsible use of AI technology. If they fail to do so, the FEC must urgently intervene to prevent further electoral fraud, especially by major presidential candidates.
This call for action reflects the growing concern about the misuse of AI technology in the political landscape. As the 2024 US Elections approach, it is crucial for stakeholders to address these issues to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.