Donald Trump Wins Alaska GOP Primary: Deepfake Fears Ahead of US Elections?

• Former President Donald Trump wins GOP primaries in Alaska and Utah, highlighting a strong start to the election season.
• Concerns escalate over the use of deepfake technology, with AI-generated images being used to influence voter perceptions and election outcomes.
• Recent deepfakes involving high-profile figures highlight gaps in current legislation against AI-generated content.

Former President Donald Trump has secured victories in the GOP primaries in Alaska and Utah, marking a strong start in the election race.

Alongside these political developments, are concerns over the use of deepfake technology to influence voters. This technology, capable of creating realistic fake images and videos poses a threat to democratic principles and the election outcome.

Trump Secures Victory in Alaska

Former President Donald Trump secured the GOP nomination in both Alaska and Utah according to reports by the Associated Press.

The former Republican president is now in a position to win the Republican nomination.

The victories come as Super Tuesday concludes, with Trump only facing a loss in Vermont against former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. On the Democratic front, the primaries are still a month away, but an unexpected turn saw President Biden losing American Samoa to newcomer Jason Palmer.

Deepfakes Portraying Black People Supporting Trump

Trump supporters have been implicated in disseminating fake images of black voters to skew public perception and garner African American support for Trump.

Although no direct link to Trump’s campaign has been established, the false portrayals have stirred unease about AI interference in elections.

This incident ties into broader anxieties about deepfake technology. A recent spotlight on Jena Ortega, a celebrity victim of deepfake exploitation, has intensified scrutiny on social media platforms and their capacity to police AI content as industry and legislative efforts struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technology.

Federal Government Falling Behind Industry Efforts

Despite existing laws against the nonconsensual distribution of intimate images, the specific challenge posed by AI-generated deepfakes remains inadequately addressed at the federal level.

In January 2024, The White House shared an official statement specifically addressing the dangers of Deep Fakes, sharing their commitment to addressing the problems of fake AI images on a federal level.

Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech leaders signed a Tech Accord that focuses on the need to protect elections and the electoral process.

The recent slew of high-profile incidents involving AI-generated deepfakes have showcased Artificial Intelligence’s potential for political damage.

With US elections taking place in November, experts suggest we can expect a barrage of fake videos to hit American screens in the coming months.