AI has potential to greatly amplify election disinformation, US warns BBC

The US deputy attorney general, Lisa Monaco, has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to amplify disinformation and incite violence during elections. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Monaco described AI as a “double-edged sword” that could bring significant benefits to society but also be exploited by malicious actors to create chaos. Monaco revealed plans to make the use of AI in criminal activities an aggravating factor in sentencing in US courts. She also discussed efforts to protect the upcoming US election from AI-powered misinformation, such as deepfakes and robocalls. Monaco highlighted the need for collaboration between governments and tech companies to combat the threat posed by AI and safeguard democracy. She emphasized the potential benefits of AI as a crimefighting tool but stressed the importance of setting appropriate regulations and safeguards for its use.