IT Professionals Fear Deepfakes Could Impact General Election Results
A recent survey conducted by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, revealed that more than half of IT professionals are concerned about the potential impact of deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence (AI) on the outcome of the general election.
According to the survey, 65% of IT professionals fear that misleading AI-generated content could influence the results of the election. The study also found that 92% of respondents believe that political parties should be transparent about how and when they use AI in their campaigns.
In response to these concerns, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan assured MPs that the government is working with social media platforms to combat deepfakes and will have “robust mechanisms” in place by the time of the general election, which is scheduled for January 2025.
The survey of 1,200 IT professionals highlighted the importance of public education and technical tools, such as watermarking and labeling of AI content, in limiting the impact of deepfakes. Several prominent politicians, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have been targeted by deepfakes in the past.
BCS chief executive Rashik Parmar emphasized the need for increased public awareness on how to identify deepfakes, verify sources, and think critically about the information they consume. He also called for a global consensus on clear labeling of AI-generated content to help combat the spread of misinformation.
In response to these concerns, the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology stated that they are working to rapidly respond to misinformation through initiatives like the Defending Democracy Taskforce and the Digital Imprints Regime. The Online Safety Act will also require social media platforms to promptly remove illegal misinformation, including AI-generated content, once identified.
As the general election approaches, the issue of deepfakes and their potential impact on the democratic process remains a top concern for IT professionals and policymakers alike.