PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Pennsylvania lawmakers hope to address concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on elections ahead of a pivotal year where the presidency, in addition to Pennsylvania's Senate and House control, hangs in the balance.
House Bill 2079, introduced and co-sponsored by State Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia County) and Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny County), aims to do just that by implementing safeguards against the way AI can be used to manipulate and affect the outcome of elections.
"The use of AI to influence elections is a near and present danger," said State Representative Rob Mercuri. "A rapidly evolving technology deserves a rapid legislative response."
The legislation would implement financial penalties for candidates and PACTs for using AI to fraudulently misrepresent an opponent in Pennsylvania.
Many view the legislation as an effort to preserve the very foundation this country is built on.
"The misuse of AI, especially in campaign advertisements, could impact the outcome of the election based on misinformation," said Khan. "We have to make sure that our democracy is kept intact and we’re able to preserve the fabric of [it]. People being able to trust what they see and hear is critical."
With political campaigning in full swing, all while the use of artificial intelligence is at its peak, lawmakers say it's making it harder for voters this election cycle to differentiate what’s real and fake more than ever before.
"AI has gotten so good at making things look like it’s the authentic true self," said Khan. "Our detector of what’s real and what’s not gets fooled."
It's causing misinformation to spread like wildfire.
"[With] the speed of this stuff, you create an image or message online and [it] rips across social media like a lightning bolt," said Mercuri.
For example, last year images were spread on social media that show President Donald Trump hugging Dr. Anthony Fauci. They were shared and created by the campaign of then-Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. The pictures were not real and instead AI fakes intended to sway voters.
Evidence that both sides of the aisle believe makes it clear that a safeguard is necessary.
"Democrats, Republicans, we are both vulnerable to getting these attacks from our own side," said Khan.
"This is a Pennsylvania issue, this is not a red or blue issue," said Mercuri. "Every one of us deserves to know where the information is coming from as they head to the polls."
House Bill 2079 awaits consideration by the State House Committee before it can move to a full House and Senate vote.