In response to the escalating threat posed by AI-generated deepfakes in influencing democratic processes, OpenAI and Microsoft have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative—a $2 million fund aimed at safeguarding the integrity of elections worldwide.
The proliferation of generative AI, exemplified by popular chatbots like ChatGPT, has ushered in a new era of deepfake technology, enabling the creation of convincing fake videos, images, and audio with ease. Against this backdrop, tech giants, including Google, OpenAI and Microsoft, have committed to combatting the spread of malicious deepfakes through voluntary pledges and collaborative frameworks.
With an unprecedented 2 billion individuals set to participate in elections across 50 countries this year, concerns regarding the manipulation of voters through AI-driven disinformation loom large. Of particular concern are vulnerable communities susceptible to deceptive content.
In response to mounting pressure, major AI players such as Google and Meta have implemented restrictions on their platforms to mitigate the dissemination of election-related disinformation. Meanwhile, OpenAI has introduced a cutting-edge deepfake detector to identify fake content generated by its own AI models.
The unveiling of the “societal resilience fund” represents a proactive step in bolstering AI literacy and education among voters and vulnerable communities. OpenAI and Microsoft will allocate grants to select organizations, including Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and Partnership on AI (PAI).
These grants will facilitate comprehensive training programs aimed at enhancing understanding of AI fundamentals, particularly among older demographics. Teresa Hutson, Microsoft’s corporate VP for technology and corporate responsibility, emphasized the enduring commitment of both companies to address the challenges posed by AI-driven disinformation.
The launch of the Societal Resilience Fund marks a significant stride toward fortifying democratic processes against the pernicious influence of deepfakes, underscoring OpenAI and Microsoft’s unwavering dedication to fostering AI literacy and responsible technology usage on a global scale.