Microsoft and OpenAI launch $2 million initiative against election deepfakes
What's the story
Microsoft and OpenAI have jointly launched a $2 million fund, to tackle the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes in elections.
This initiative is a response to the anticipated record-breaking participation of two billion voters across 50 countries this year.
The project aims to protect communities that are more likely to accept manipulated content without questioning its authenticity.
Dangers
The rising threat of AI-generated deepfakes in elections
The advent of generative AI, including popular chatbots like ChatGPT, has brought about a new risk: AI-generated "deepfakes" that spread false information.
These easily accessible tools enable the creation of fake photos, videos, or audio featuring notable political figures.
The Election Commission of India has urged political parties to refrain from using deepfakes, and similar disinformation tactics in their digital election campaigns.
Industry response
Tech giants strategize to mitigate deepfake risks
Leading tech firms, including Microsoft and OpenAI, have pledged to mitigate the risks posed by deepfakes.
They are strategizing a unified approach specifically aimed at tackling deepfakes designed to mislead voters.
Other major AI firms have begun addressing these risks by implementing restrictions in their software.
For example, Google's Gemini AI chatbot will not answer to election-related queries, and Meta is also limiting election-related responses via its AI chatbot.
New developments
OpenAI unveils deepfake detector, joins industry group
OpenAI recently introduced a deepfake detector tool for disinformation researchers.
This tool is designed to identify fake content created by its own DALL-E image generator.
In addition, OpenAI has joined the steering committee of the industry group known as Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA).
The C2PA includes members like Adobe, Microsoft, Google, and Intel.
Grant allocation
A step toward responsible AI
The newly established "societal resilience fund" is part of a broader movement toward responsible AI.
Microsoft and OpenAI aim to "further AI education and literacy among voters and vulnerable communities," as stated in a blog post.
The fund will offer grants to many organizations, including Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), Partnership on AI (PAI), C2PA, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).