In a landmark move, leading technology companies have joined forces to combat the deceptive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the upcoming global elections. Announced at the Munich Security Conference, the “Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections” sees 20 major players, including Adobe, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Snap Inc., and Meta, pledging to deploy cutting-edge technology to identify and counter harmful AI-generated content intended to mislead voters.
The accord outlines eight specific commitments, including developing and implementing technology to mitigate risks related to deceptive AI election content, seeking to detect and address this content on their platforms, fostering cross-industry resilience, and providing transparency to the public regarding their actions. It also emphasizes supporting efforts to foster public awareness, media literacy, and all-of-society resilience.
These obligations apply to AI-created sound and video materials, as well as images that change politicians’ appearance, voice, or behavior and promote fake news on the electoral system. Ambassador Dr. Christoph Heusgen highlighted the importance of the agreement when he stated: “Elections are the heartbeat of democracies.” Furthermore, Dana Rao, who is General Counsel and Chief Trust Officer at Adobe, accentuated the role media literacy initiatives play in fostering trust and protecting democratic procedures.
AI-created content has become an alarming danger to the world’s electoral systems with the advent of ‘deepfakes’ that utilize artificial intelligence to alter visuals and sound seamlessly. Some notable incidents like robocalls, which were dishonest in America, and deepfake photos on popular celebrities’ blogs have accelerated the current demand for united efforts.
While Brad Smith, the CEO of Microsoft, elaborated on a set of different but integrated measures that should be taken by governments, academia, and technology companies to counteract deepfake AI algorithms issues, these measures include improving the security architecture of AI, enhancing detection capabilities, and facilitating transparency in society. Although he also admitted that the Tech Accord is a leap forward in this direction, Mr. Smith emphasized that the protection of electoral independence is a responsibility not only for politicians but also for each citizen of any country in the world. He is convinced that this duty extends beyond any party games and narrow-mindedness and has no borders.
The Tech Accord to Counter AI Propaganda in the 2024 Elections is the result of close cooperation between major technology companies. It aims to ensure that the democratic system is not exposed to the negative consequences brought by the deceptive use of AI.