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Election Security Spotlight – Generative AI and Elections

Overview of the Impact of Generative AI on Elections

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that can create images, text, and videos with very little instruction from a user. Some of this technology is being used for advantageous purposes; however, generative AI can also be used against election offices. “Deepfakes” are videos with recognizable people, such as an election official, but the actions and words of the people are created using generative AI. The same holds true for generating inaccurate news articles and social media content. OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard are generative AI platforms that create text based on a user’s prompt. Another type of generative AI platform uses a text prompt to create images. Examples of this type of generative AI platform include Midjourney and DALL-E.

Generative AI platforms pose a risk to elections due to their ability to quickly generate inaccurate information and other misleading materials. While there are benefits of generative AI, election officials need to be aware of the risks that generative AI poses on elections and implement safeguards to prepare for the 2024 presidential election year.

Why It Matters

Dissemination of misinformation is generative AI's most apparent risk to elections. This technology can create inaccurate content that bad actors can then spread through other forms of media. Election officials have a lot to juggle on election day and the days leading up to an election. However, generative AI capabilities have the potential to make the job of election officials more difficult.

Here are a few examples to explain how this can happen:

  • Election officials work diligently to communicate information such as election deadlines, polling locations, and voting hours. With generative AI, media such as news articles, social media content, etc. can quickly be generated and used to deceive voters and provide them with inaccurate information.
  • Generative AI can create images and videos using a simple prompt. Generative AI platforms can be used to attack an election official’s integrity by misrepresenting or fabricating a statement or act of an election official.
  • Phishing emails are already a known cybersecurity threat. Generative AI can create convincing phishing emails that are nearly indistinguishable from a reputable email, elevating this threat.

As technology advances, generative AI platforms are becoming more intelligent. Therefore, it is important for election officials to be aware of new advances in generative AI so that they can take appropriate measures to mitigate it.

What You Can Do

Generative AI is a rapidly evolving technology in today’s society, and unfortunately, we cannot control it or avoid it. However, we can take measures to mitigate the potential effects of generative AI on elections. Here are a few recommendations: 

  • Establish your office as a trusted source. Ensure the public knows where to go for accurate election information. Utilize your organization’s website, social media platforms, and press releases to accomplish this.
  • Monitor social media for potential misinformation. Report misinformation.
  • Practice good cyber hygiene. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Also, include guidelines on generative AI platforms in your organization’s cybersecurity policies.
  • Provide training. Generative AI technology is becoming more advanced each day. To stay educated, provide cybersecurity training including AI awareness and phishing campaign assessments to staff members. This reduces the risk of falling victim to AI.
  • Use available resources. Take advantage of CISA’s Cybersecurity Toolkit to Protect Elections.

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