Assuming that new regulations to not prevent deep-fakes or robocall scams, let’s see if the California Lawmakers have what it takes to hunt down and prosecute those using AI for election interference.
Perhaps California will be the proving ground where prosecutors will have to establish in court who is responsible for misusing AI. Proving this, will require intrepid technological forensics.
They must then establish, who created the AI, who set it in motion, that there was an intent for those operating the AI to interfere with elections, and prove that all beyond a reasonable doubt.
This will become significantly more difficult if those creating deepfakes have gone to the trouble of hosting their own models, and concealing their whereabouts.
This kind of election interference could easily be launched by state actors, or domestically by dark money super-PACs who intend to derail a competitor candidate.
Indeed, the use of AI, both legal and illegal will from here on remain entrenched in the political landscape.
