Staff Reports
Michigan, taking initiative as Congress debates, is set to implement policy to combat the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in political advertising. As the Federal Elections Commission remains in discussion on broader regulations, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is expected to sign off on legislation requiring clear disclosure of AI-generated political ads and prohibiting deepfakes within 90 days of an election without identification.
Michigan to join state-level effort to regulate AI political ads as federal legislation is pending https://t.co/Jp5BNanYZl
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 29, 2023
The state is wise to act, as there are growing concerns that generative AI could be exploited in the 2024 presidential race to mislead voters and sow chaos in the democratic process. Republicans have already dabbled in the use of AI to create convincing, yet fake, imagery to serve their political messaging. Most recently, the Republican National Committee and a super PAC supporting Governor Ron DeSantis leveraged AI to fabricate content meant to alarm and deceive the public.
Numerous states have already passed laws regulating deepfakes in political advertising, and Michigan is following suit with its own measures. The legislation mandates clear disclosure of AI use in political ad content, with penalties for non-compliance. The actions taken by Michigan are a necessary step in safeguarding the integrity of the election process, particularly in light of the advancing AI technology that poses a real threat to democracy.
Leonard Marshall, a state GOP spokesperson, expressed Republican support for the new legislation, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process and prevent the exploitation of artificial intelligence for political gain. Marshall believes that the legislation represents a critical safeguard against voter manipulation and deception.
In light of the federal government’s inaction, Michigan’s proactive approach is commendable. However, Republican lawmakers stress the urgency for Congress to address the issue on a national level, expressing concern that the current regulatory measures may not be sufficient to thwart the potential threat posed by deepfakes and manipulated media.
The Michigan GOP is urging federal lawmakers to prioritize legislation that effectively addresses the deceptive use of AI in political advertising. The party is also calling for increased federal funding to assist states in combating the challenges presented by artificial intelligence. With Michigan taking the lead, Republicans across the nation are sounding the alarm and calling for comprehensive measures to combat the deceptive tactics employed by their political opponents.
Republicans are fully supportive of Michigan’s efforts to clamp down on the deceptive use of AI in political advertisements, and are actively pressing for federal action to address this critical issue. As the 2024 elections loom, the GOP remains vigilant in safeguarding the democratic process against the malicious exploitation of artificial intelligence for political gain.
