Taylor Swift backs Kamala Harris and warns about AI dangers during the election
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Pop star Taylor Swift has endorsed vice president Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States, citing concerns over AI-generated misinformation during the election process. Her move could reignite debates around artificial intelligence regulation.
Swift voiced her support for the Democratic ticket on Instagram and expressed unease about AI’s potential to spread false information during the campaign. She boasts one of the largest social media followings globally.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site,” Swift wrote. It really sparked my concerns about AI and the dangers associated with spreading misinformation. The incident made me realize that I needed to be transparent in my plans as a voter for this election. Swift’s reference to the incident involves AI-generated pictures that appeared to show Swift endorsing Donald Trump. These images were shared on all social media platforms. This follows explicit deepfakes of the singer circulating online months ago, which prompted calls for stricter AI regulation from lawmakers and tech industry leaders.
Reigniting AI regulation discussions
Swift’s endorsement and remarks about AI misinformation underscore growing concerns among public figures and policymakers about the technology’s potential to disrupt democratic processes. It also highlights challenges facing tech companies and legislators in balancing innovation with safeguards against misuse.
Federal legislation regulating AI remains elusive, but some states have taken action. Tennessee, Swift’s home state passed the Ensuring Likeness Image and Voice Security Act (ELVIS), which protects artists from AI impersonation and fakes. The order established the AI Safety Institute within the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Both OpenAI and Anthropic have agreed to send their unreleased models to the AI Safety Institute for safety evaluations.
Last year, the Biden administration appointed Vice President Harris to represent the U.S. at the UK AI Summit. During the presidential debate on September 10, Harris emphasized the need for the U.S. to “win the competition for the 21st century” by leading the world in AI and quantum computing, supported by American-made chips.
Meanwhile, Trump’s running mate, J.D. Stay informed! Subscribe to receive the latest news daily in your email.
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