In 2024, US officials are dealing with big AI problems

In 2024, state lawmakers in the US are set to tackle big issues, and one of the hot topics on their agenda is artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a digital frontier that experts see as both promising and risky. State legislators could pave the way by creating rules that could guide the whole country in handling AI.

Some states like Florida, South Carolina, and New Hampshire are looking at laws for how AI is used in political ads. They’re concerned about “deepfake” tech that can make it seem like a candidate said things they didn’t. These laws might limit using this tech close to elections and require a clear label if AI was used.

Lawmakers are aiming to find ways to regulate AI because its growth has outpaced government control. The idea is to prevent its misuse, particularly in sensitive areas like political campaigns. This kind of regulation effort is crucial because AI’s rapid advancement can be both amazing and risky. State legislators, by taking action on this, might guide the federal government on how to handle the opportunities and challenges AI presents.

Understanding AI and how it influences our lives is key. Legislators are realizing the need to set rules to ensure AI is used responsibly, especially in areas like political messaging where misleading technology could cause harm.

States like Florida, South Carolina, and New Hampshire are considering laws specifically targeting the use of artificial intelligence in political advertising. Their focus is on “deepfake” technology, which can manipulate a candidate’s appearance or voice, potentially misleading voters. These states aim to restrict the use of such AI-generated content close to elections and mandate disclaimers on these ads to inform viewers about the AI manipulation.

Florida: A Republican state senator introduced legislation to govern AI in political ads. The aim is to control “deepfake” technology, requiring ads with AI-altered content to include disclaimers indicating the manipulation. This legislation aims to limit the use of such AI-generated content within 90 days of an election.
South Carolina: Similar to Florida, South Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that restricts the use of AI-generated content in political ads close to an election. The proposed legislation demands disclaimers stating the presence of AI manipulation in the advertisement.
New Hampshire: Legislators in New Hampshire are also exploring measures to regulate the use of AI in political advertising. Although specifics about the proposed regulations are not detailed, the focus remains on addressing the potential misuse of AI-generated content in political campaigns.

The rapid evolution of technology, especially in AI, has surpassed the pace of government regulations. Lawmakers are striving to bridge this gap by introducing measures to oversee and manage AI applications, particularly in critical domains such as political campaigns.

The objective is twofold: to explore the possibilities AI offers while mitigating the risks associated with its misuse. By crafting legislation at the state level, lawmakers hope to provide a framework for responsible AI usage that can serve as a blueprint for federal policies.