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Earlier today, Supervisor Dean Preston called for a hearing on artificial intelligence in elections. With the growth of AI, including AI companies in San Francisco, and growing concerns about its role in elections by advocates, federal lawmakers, state legislatures, and the FEC, Preston’s hearing will focus on whether San Francisco law adequately addresses concerns about false and misleading AI-generated election material and whether the city needs to adopt new policies to address AI’s role in San Francisco elections. 

“Political PACs are increasingly using AI-generated images to spread false information across the nation,” said Supervisor Preston. “To promote transparency and protect election integrity, our city needs to do everything we can to prevent the use of fake or deceptive AI-generated content in campaign materials disseminated to the public.”

Nationwide, concerns with AI in elections are growing. Political ads have already been released this year using AI-generated images and text-to-voice converters to depict candidates negatively and sow disinformation in elections. AI technology is making it increasingly difficult for the public to accurately identify fraudulent video and audio material. An AP poll found that nearly 6 in 10 adults are worried about AI tools increasing the spread of false and misleading information in the 2024 elections. 

Legislation has been introduced both in the House and the Senate on the topic. In May, Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced H.R. 3044 to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require a statement within the contents of the advertisements if generative AI was used to generate any image or video footage. In September, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act to prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio, images, or video relating to federal candidates in political ads or certain issue ads to influence a federal election or fundraise.

State legislatures are also weighing in on the problem. In October, Michigan passed a bill that would require a disclaimer on political advertisements if they were using AI-generated content, and would ban AI deepfakes in communications surrounding elections unless they contained a clear disclosure. 

“My hope is that our hearing will help educate the public and bring more transparency and accountability to our elections,” said Supervisor Preston. “I look forward to working with advocates, policy experts, my colleagues, and relevant city departments to explore safeguards that could help prevent fake AI-generated material from misleading voters.”