AI's Role in the 2024 Election: Regulation and Risks

PLUS: The FCC's Push for Transparency and Tennessee's Groundbreaking ELVIS Act

This week, we delve into the growing concerns surrounding AI’s influence on the 2024 election, with regulators and lawmakers sounding the alarm on potential risks.

We also explore the FCC's efforts to enforce media transparency and how Tennessee’s new ELVIS Act is setting a legal precedent to protect the authenticity of artistic content in the AI age.

Let’s dive in!

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Musk’s Grok Faces Scrutiny Ahead of Election

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Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, has been updated with new features just in time for the 2024 U.S. elections, raising alarms among government officials. Lawmakers and regulators are increasingly concerned about the role of AI platforms like Grok in shaping political narratives, particularly due to their potential to spread misinformation and influence voter behavior. This scrutiny highlights the growing tension between AI innovation and the need for regulatory oversight, as officials call for clearer guidelines to prevent misuse during critical democratic processes.

EU AI Act Goes Into Effect: Impact on US Tech Firms

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While Big Tech companies have publicly called for AI to be regulated, they’re pushing back against California’s proposed AI bill SB-1047. The resistance stems from concerns over stringent regulations that could stifle innovation and place additional burdens on AI development. This opposition highlights a broader debate about balancing innovation with responsibility, especially as AI's influence on society continues to grow. We will see in the coming week what the outcome of the bill is in the CA legislature and then it goes to Governor Newsom’s desk for review. We should know his final decision by the end of September.

AI-Generated Content Raises FCC Concerns Ahead of Election

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The recent AI-generated video featuring Taylor Swift endorsing Donald Trump has intensified concerns about the impact of deepfakes on the upcoming election. With fake images and audio becoming more sophisticated, the FCC is under pressure to enforce transparency on social media platforms. Lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations to ensure that AI-generated content is clearly labeled, preventing voters from being misled by realistic yet false portrayals. As the election draws near, the role of the FCC in maintaining the integrity of political communication on social media is becoming increasingly critical.

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Tennessee Leads with the ELVIS Act to Protect Musicians in the AI Era

Tennessee has made history by becoming the first U.S. state to pass the "Ensuring Legitimate Voice Integrity and Safeguards" (ELVIS) Act, a groundbreaking law designed to protect musicians from unauthorized use of their likeness or voice in AI-generated content. This legislation addresses a growing concern in the music industry as AI tools become increasingly capable of replicating human artistry with uncanny accuracy. By specifically targeting the misuse of AI to create content that mimics real artists, the ELVIS Act sets a crucial precedent in the fight to preserve the authenticity and integrity of artistic expression.

The importance of the ELVIS Act cannot be overstated in today’s evolving digital landscape. As AI technology advances, the line between authentic and AI-generated content is becoming dangerously blurred, making it harder for consumers to distinguish between what is real and what is artificially created. This act not only ensures that musicians retain control over their voices and likenesses but also reinforces the principle that only authorized content should be circulated, preserving the integrity of their work and legacy.

In a world where AI-generated content is poised to become more prevalent, Tennessee’s proactive approach through the ELVIS Act highlights the need for legal frameworks that safeguard originality and prevent the erosion of trust in creative industries. This legislation is likely to serve as a model for other states and industries as they grapple with the challenges posed by AI, ensuring that the authenticity of content remains a cornerstone of artistic and cultural expression.

That’s a wrap!

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The Augmented AI Team