Concern 480 · Working draft · editorial review in progress
Voter-suppression content
AI-assisted voter suppression uses false information to discourage eligible people from voting or prevent them from doing so successfully.
Understanding the concern
The message might misstate a voting date, place or procedure, or falsely suggest that participation is unnecessary. AI can make the message sound like a familiar leader or official. The harm comes from obstructing a person's opportunity to vote, not simply arguing against a candidate.
The FCC's action over AI-voice calls in New Hampshire provides a concrete example of deceptive discouragement. Practical protection involves clear, accessible official voting information and rapid correction through channels people already use. A realistic voice should never substitute for checking election procedures with the responsible authority.
An example
A voter receives a message falsely saying their vote should be saved for a later election.
Illustrative unless identified as a documented case.
Words in plain English
- AI
- Software that learns patterns from examples or uses rules to perform tasks such as recognizing images or generating text. It can make mistakes and does not understand every situation as a person would.
Evidence and its limits
The FCC case establishes the calls and enforcement action, not their effect on turnout. Election procedures vary by jurisdiction.
Federal Communications Commission · September 2024 · Enforcement announcement
FCC Fines Robocaller $6 Million for Illegal Calls Using Deepfake AI-Generated Voice ↗ (opens in a new tab)FCC action over spoofed New Hampshire primary calls; an administrative action, not evidence of an election outcome.
CISA · 2024 · Risk assessment
Risk in Focus: Generative AI and the 2024 Election Cycle ↗ (opens in a new tab)Potential threats to election communications and workers; a scenario assessment, not proof each scenario occurred.
Broader frameworks and background
These resources provide context. They do not establish every claim in this concern.
- OECD AI Incidents and Hazards Monitor (opens in a new tab)
incidents
- AI Incident Database (opens in a new tab)
incidents
- International humanitarian law (IHL)
framework
The body of law that governs the conduct of armed conflict and the protection of people who are not fighting, which applies to AI used in or for conflict.
A question to discuss
How can accurate voting instructions reach the same people who received a deceptive message?
Keep track of different views, what needs checking, and any next step in your own discussion notes.
Open discussion notes →Principles for the conversation
Before you finish · reflect together
Virtues and principles to consider
Virtues are qualities we practice in how we treat people and make choices. They are not scores for judging someone. Use these ideas to explore what a thoughtful response could look like.
Truthfulness
Truthfulness means making claims that match the evidence and being clear about what we do not know. It includes correcting mistakes rather than protecting a polished story.
Check sources, label guesses, and distinguish a trial result from a proven benefit. If AI helped produce a claim, someone still needs to take responsibility for checking it.
Ask together: What can we honestly say, and what still needs checking?
Meaningful conversation
Conversation means making room to understand and be understood. It is more than winning a debate or collecting quick agreement. People can explore a question together without starting from the same view.
Use a concrete example, invite different experiences, and ask what might change each person's mind. Let concerns and hopes sit together long enough to reveal choices that a simple yes-or-no argument would miss.
Ask together: What can we learn from each other before deciding?
Unity
Unity means working toward shared purposes while making room for real differences. It does not require everyone to have the same experience, beliefs, or opinion.
Look for a goal people can share, then explore disagreements about how to reach it. Make sure quieter or less powerful voices can influence the result.
Ask together: What purpose can we share while respecting our differences?
Editorial ratings
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