AEC presses big tech on AI disinformation risks ahead of federal election
The election authority has written to OpenAI, Meta, Google and Microsoft seeking details on their plan to ensure AI disinformation does not influence the election.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is concerned artificial intelligence could disrupt the upcoming federal election and says it has written to major tech companies — including OpenAI, Meta and Google — seeking assurances on what they are doing to prevent it.
AEC electoral commissioner Jeff Pope began issuing letters to several tech firms last December, requesting an update on their “intention and capability” to curb AI-driven misinformation.
“The AEC continues to observe significant instances of AI being used to spread election related mis and disinformation globally via online platforms,” Pope wrote in a letter reviewed by Capital Brief.
“The AEC is concerned that, without further improvements in detection and action, this has the potential to enable widespread misinformation and disinformation about the electoral process in Australia.”
