Hochul seeks ban on AI in political advertising

(The Center Square) — Doctored photos and video footage and ads twisting of candidates’ words have been used for decades in political campaigns, but the rise of artificial intelligence has elevated those deceptive tactics to a new level.

That has New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and other Democrats pushing for restrictions on the misuse of the technology to sway voters and bash political opponents. On Tuesday, Hochul is expected to announce a proposed ban on using AI generated content for political ads at least 90 days before federal, state or local elections, as part of her annual “state of the state” address to lawmakers.

In a statement, Hochul said the proposed regulations will position New York as a leader in AI regulations by setting “strong and sensible standards” for its use in elections, “protecting voters across the state.”

“With the rise of Artificial Intelligence and algorithmic social media, it’s easier than ever for bad actors to spread misinformation in critical moments, including those that can decide electio...