WASHINGTON (AP) — The competition is heating up between President Joe Biden's campaign and Democratic candidates, as well as Republicans, to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that could revolutionize American elections while also posing threats to democracy. Mindful of their past vulnerability to being outmaneuvered on social media by Donald Trump in 2016, Democratic strategists are cautiously embracing AI, primarily using it to engage voters and combat deceptive content.
Betsy Hoover, director of digital organizing for President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign and co-founder of the progressive venture capital firm Higher Ground Labs, remarked, "People understand that it can save them time — the most valuable resource a campaign has. However, they are aware of the risks of misinformation and have been deliberate about where and how they utilize it in their work."
Although campaigns in both parties have utilized AI for data analysis for years, recent advancements in supercharged generative AI have enabled the creation of text, images, and even video at an unprecedented pace and scale. This has raised concerns among disinformation experts about AI's potential to spread falsehoods that could influence elections.
To address these concerns, the Biden administration has taken steps to regulate AI through executive action. However, many Democrats believe that congressional legislation is necessary to protect against AI abuses. While tech companies have pledged to self-regulate, experts argue that congressional action is essential to prevent the misuse of AI.
Campaigns and consultants are wary of discussing their AI strategies, fearing scrutiny and the exposure of trade secrets. For example, the Biden campaign is using AI for audience modeling, email drafting, and content generation, but strictly prohibits its use for misleading voters or spreading disinformation.
Some progressive groups and Democratic candidates have been more proactive in experimenting with AI. Higher Ground Labs, for instance, has established an innovation hub called Progressive AI Lab to promote the use of AI among progressive groups.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the ethical use of AI in politics. Rep. Adam Schiff's campaign, for instance, faced criticism for sharing an AI-generated image of him as a Jedi during a fundraising drive. Campaigns are grappling with how to navigate the potential benefits and risks of AI in an increasingly digital and AI-driven political landscape.