Lawmakers pushing ahead with some of the first bills governing artificial intelligence are confronting old problems as they deal with a new technology. At a recent Senate committee makeup of legislation that would prohibit the distribution of deceptive AI in campaigns for federal office and require disclosure when AI is used, some Republicans espoused support for the measures’ ideals while voting against them, citing the potential limits on free speech. “We have to balance the potential for innovation with the potential for deceptive or fraudulent use,” Nebraska Republican Sen.
Deb Fischer, ranking member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, said at the markup. “On top of that, we can’t lose sight of the important protections our Constitution provides for free speech in this country. These two bills do not strike that careful balance.
” Political battles are only likely to get more intense over AI as campaigns increasingly rely on it to fine-tune messages and find target audiences — and others use it spread disinformation. The technology is here to stay, proponents say, because AI greatly increases efficiency. “Campaigns can positively benefit from AI-derived messaging,” said Mark Jablonowski, who is president of DSPolitical, a digital advertising company that works with Democratic candidates and for progressive causes, and chief technology officer at its parent, Optimal.
“Our clients are using AI successfully to create messaging tracks.” But.
