Tech giants pledge to curb AI election interference

Twenty tech companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) announced on Friday, Feb. 16, their commitment to prevent their software from influencing elections, including in the United States.

The agreement acknowledges that AI products pose a significant risk, especially in a year when around four billion people worldwide are expected to participate in elections. The document highlights concerns about deceptive AI in election content and its potential to mislead the public, posing a threat to the integrity of electoral processes.

The agreement also acknowledges that global lawmakers have been slow to respond to the rapid progress of generative AI, leading the tech industry to explore self-regulation. Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, voiced his suppor in a statement: