As the midterm elections approach, AI experts and industry leaders express frustration over the slow pace of congressional action to address the growing prevalence of deepfake pornography and other AI-related misinformation.
The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is growing impatient with the slow pace at which Congress is addressing the rising concerns surrounding deepfake pornography and other forms of AI-generated misinformation. With Election Day just weeks away, experts warn that the sophistication and accessibility of AI technology is fueling the spread of malicious content, particularly in the political arena.
"Congress has struggled to pass national technology laws," said Craig Albright, senior vice president for U.S. government relations at The Software Alliance. "There's an appetite for more action, but Congress has been focused on other priorities, such as keeping the government open and increasing the debt limit."
Congress Grapples with AI Regulation Amid Deepfake Concerns
Tatiana Rice, deputy director for U.S. legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), echoes these concerns. "Companies are concerned about the patchwork of regulation that is emerging in the absence of federal action," she said. "This makes compliance very difficult."
The lack of federal action has also attracted criticism from experts in academia and the tech industry. Dakota State University President José-Marie Griffiths, who has advised both the White House and the Senate on AI, acknowledges the progress made in AI applications in healthcare and national security but stresses the ongoing challenges with misinformation.
Congress Grapples with AI Regulation Amid Deepfake Concerns
"I do think it's been frustrating for the public that we haven't seen as much action as quickly as we would like," Griffiths said.
Congressional leaders have struggled to find a path forward on AI regulation. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) advocates for a targeted approach focused on educating members, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) supports a more comprehensive regulatory framework. With the end of the congressional term approaching, it remains unclear whether a compromise can be reached.
Congress Grapples with AI Regulation Amid Deepfake Concerns
Underlying the challenges of AI regulation is the issue of data privacy. Rice highlights the difficulties in balancing innovation with protecting personal information. "Privacy went out of the window for young people unaware of the longer-term implications of their interactions on social media," Griffiths said. "We are in a similar stage with AI."
Rice emphasized the urgent need to address children's online privacy in the context of AI. "We're seeing some movement, but even things that have broad consensus are having difficulty moving forward," she said. "So, it is not surprising that AI is moving at a slower pace."
Congress Grapples with AI Regulation Amid Deepfake Concerns
As the midterm elections approach, the clock is ticking for Congress to take action on AI regulation. The spread of deepfakes and other AI-generated misinformation poses a significant threat to public discourse and undermines trust in the electoral process. The industry, experts, and the public await a solution that balances innovation with safeguarding individuals and society from the potential harms of AI technology.
