Detroit City Wire

On September 24, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted a webinar featuring Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Ginny Badanes, General Manager of Microsoft’s Democracy Forward. The discussion focused on the misuse of AI to spread misinformation about candidates, ballot locations, and voting processes during election seasons. Business leaders were also encouraged to combat such misinformation within their organizations.

Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah highlighted findings from the Chamber’s latest Michigan Voters Poll. According to Baruah, "68% of surveyed voters are dissatisfied with the condition of U.S. democracy," and "5% believe that violence is acceptable if their candidate loses the election." These statistics emphasize the need for societal stability and democratic strength.

Badanes acknowledged the challenges in identifying AI-created misinformation but advised caution when encountering content that evokes strong emotions. She emphasized skepticism towards online information, saying, "If you see something that gives you a very emotional reaction or [leans] into a narrative that you’re already inclined to believe … before assuming it’s true … just take a moment to ask: Could this have been AI-generated?"

Both speakers stressed the importance of seeking information from authoritative sources and trusted election officials. Badanes mentioned Microsoft's “Check Recheck Vote” campaign, which encourages verifying information sources. She advised, "Go to the trusted source... Make sure you’re looking to your election officials."

Despite concerns about AI misuse, Badanes expressed optimism regarding its potential benefits for voter registration and participation globally. She noted that while there have been worries about AI's impact on elections, it hasn't been significantly disruptive so far.

Badanes also discussed tech companies' responsibilities in preventing election misinformation. Microsoft has introduced a Reporting Portal for deceptive AI-targeted ads found online. She explained, "Microsoft has a link where if you believe there’s a deep fake of a candidate or an election scenario, you can report it."

The Chamber urged businesses to join Michigan Business United for Elections in promoting nonpartisan voting information among employees. This collaboration aims to restore faith in the election process and ensure all eligible Michiganders can vote securely in 2024.