Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL.O), will make it mandatory for all political advertisers to clearly and visibly disclose when their ads contain AI-generated content starting mid-November.
The policy will apply to image, video, and audio content across all of its platforms, as stated by the company in a post this Wednesday.
This move comes as the United States is approaching its presidential election in November, and the adoption of artificial intelligence has given rise to all sorts of synthetic products, from videos, images, and audios to deepfakes, making it challenging for voters to distinguish reality from fiction.
Google’s decision to mandate disclosure of AI-generated content in political advertising campaigns is also driven in part by concerns about security and transparency. The use of AI to create manipulated content or information raises concerns about the spread of misleading or false information, which could confuse users and negatively impact the integrity of elections and decision-making.
By making disclosure mandatory, Google aims to ensure that viewers are aware they are seeing AI-generated content, helping them critically evaluate information and make informed decisions. This is done to mitigate the risk of AI-generated content being used deceptively or maliciously in political and advertising campaigns.
One might wonder if there is any substantial distinction between information manipulation and false messaging employed by politicians in their campaigns without the use of artificial intelligence compared to those generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
The difference between political campaigns carried out without AI and those employing AI lies primarily in the scale, efficiency, and sophistication of manipulation that can be achieved with AI’s assistance. While the intent to manipulate may be similar in both cases, AI can enhance the ability to create deceptive content more quickly and effectively.
AI extends the existing manipulation capabilities by making the creation and distribution of misleading content more efficient and on a larger scale. This can increase the potential for harm and misinformation in the political and social sphere, making AI-driven manipulation a significant concern in terms of transparency and ethics in political communication.
Mandatory disclosure is a measure intended to promote transparency and accountability in online advertising, especially in the context of political campaigns, where the accuracy and authenticity of information are of paramount importance. What are your thoughts on this matter?
