As Election Day approaches, the rise of deep fake and artificial intelligence-generated content is becoming more prevalent, sparking concerns about its potential impact on the political landscape. Purdue University professor Daniel Schiff is closely monitoring the increasing amount of AI-generated content related to the election, noting that while much of it is currently being used for entertainment purposes, there is potential for more dangerous uses.
One example Schiff pointed out is an AI-generated image depicting Kamala Harris appearing to speak to a crowd in Chicago with communist Russian flags in the background. Schiff emphasized that while many may view these images as satire, there are individuals who could be influenced by this type of messaging. Former President Trump also reposted a deep fake image on his social media platform, further highlighting the potential impact of AI-generated content on political discourse.
Schiff identified various objectives behind these AI-generated posts, including rallying political supporters, creating uncertainty, and potentially influencing public opinion. While most AI deep fakes are currently for entertainment purposes, Schiff expressed concerns that as Election Day approaches, the content may become more insidious.
To demonstrate the difficulty of discerning real and fake content, Schiff conducted a quiz with I-Team 8, with both parties scoring seven out of ten. Schiff emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring deep fakes online and studying their effectiveness in shaping public opinion. With uncertainty surrounding the potential impact of AI-generated content on the election, Schiff and his students will be actively monitoring and analyzing deep fakes as Election Day draws near.
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