Colorado Attorney General warns voters about fake AI images this election season
Phony images and audio are becoming increasingly common in election communications
Colorado voters should be on the lookout for fake but realistic-looking images created by artificial intelligence this election season, Attorney General Phil Weiser is warning.
The growth of artificial intelligence means it’s easier for bad actors to produce “deepfakes” — or fake images, audio, and video — of political candidates to influence voters.
“You can’t always believe what you see and hear anymore,” he wrote in a news release.
Colorado is working to regulate fake images. Earlier this year, the legislature approved and Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1147, which requires anyone using AI for communications to voters to disclaim that the content isn’t real.
Violating the law, which kicks in within 60 days of a primary election and 90 days from a general election, can result in fines and penalties. The laws are now in place with the Nov. 5 election approaching. Coloradans can submit complaints for suspected deepfakes to the Secretary of State’s office.
“Because images, videos, and audio created with artificial intelligence are becoming difficult to distinguish from the real thing, you should be cautious when forming opinions based on what you see and hear online, on TV, and receive in the mail,” according to the news release.
Weiser issued a public advisory about political deepfakes, warning the false images and audio are becoming increasingly common in election communications.
He recommended three main ways to avoid falling for a deepfake. First, he suggests listening and looking closely for any disclosure of a deepfake. Second, he asks voters to double check any questionable information they see or hear with a trusted source. Third, he said to be aware there are multiple ways deepfakes may manipulate voters.
“In general, voters should be mindful that bad actors will find ways not protected by this law to influence public opinion using deepfakes, especially on the internet,” he wrote.
AI-produced images often have an electronic sheen to them, “an aesthetic sort of smoothing effect” that leaves skin “looking incredibly polished,” according to the Associated Press.
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