A new creative PSA campaign warns voters about the threat of AI-generated deepfakes that could spread disinformation to mislead Americans about when, where, and how to vote, and urges voters to check their information and rely only on trusted, official election sources.
Kathy Boockvar spoke with NBC News about these threats and their potential to deceive voters in the 2024 election. She explained that the effort to mislead voters could use AI-generated fake voices and communications to persuade a voter that they are receiving information from a trusted person such as local election official or a church leader. “You could wreak quite a lot of havoc just by hitting a number of precincts across the country, and because it’s not a known individual, it would be a little harder to verify quickly,” Boockvar said. She also underscored the importance of voter education and verified sources to ensure public trust and election security.
The public service campaign features the actor Rosario Dawson and other Hollywood stars including Chris Rock, Laura Dern, Michael Douglas, Amy Schumer and Jonathan Scott, and was organized by the nonpartisan group RepresentUs. The celebrities note that if you receive a message claiming voting has been extended, or a polling location is closed due to an emergency, or new documentation is required to vote, Americans should keep in mind that “these are all scams designed to trick you into not voting. Don’t fall for it.”
At the end, the video reveals that some of the Hollywood stars are mere deepfakes, with their voices and images superimposed on other actors. “If something seems off, it probably is,” Dawson warns in the video.
Watch the video and check your local sources for accurate information here: https://represent.us/votesafe/
Read the full article here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/can-spot-celebrity-deepfakes-new-ad-warning-election-disinfo-rcna175647