CFB testimony - Ryan on practical enforcement limitations
Ryan acknowledges that even with disclosure requirements, bad actors on social media may not comply, and the increasing difficulty of distinguishing deepfakes from reality presents enormous enforcement challenges. He cites deepfake expert Professor Hani Farid giving up on distinguishing deepfakes manually.
Even with the refinements we suggest, we want to be clear-eyed about the practical limitations of this regulatory approach so as not to create unrealistic expectations.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
The combination of low-cost, high-quality deepfake technology and social media platforms enables bad actors to spread disinformation in elections with speed and effectiveness unfathomable just a year or two ago.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
Earlier this month, the New York Times ran a disheartening profile of the world's leading deepfake expert, Professor
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
Hani Farid, who has given up on his own ability to distinguish deepfakes from reality and moved from the Bay Area to a cabin in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
Unstated in the Times profile is that Professor Farid is an advocate for digital provenance systems of the sort reflected in Intro 12a.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
However, the real utility of digital provenance systems is enabling people to trust verified images as true and to dismiss unverified images as untrustworthy.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
Digital provenance systems serve as a sort of digital media nutrition label.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
Candidates would likely comply with the disclosure requirements of Intro 12a.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
And that's a good thing.
Unfortunately, even with the enactment of Intro 12A, the public will still have access to the equivalent of digital junk food created by bad actors who may be unlikely to comply with the nutrition label-like disclosure requirements of Intro 12A.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
The increasing difficulty of distinguishing deepfakes from truthful media, combined with the anonymity offered by social media platforms and other internet-based communication streams, may present enormous enforcement challenges for the CFB.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
Nonetheless, we remain deeply committed to working collaboratively with the Council to ensure this becomes an effective piece of legislation.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
While we have outlined specific concerns today, our ultimate goal is to partner with you and to provide realistic guidance on resources and funding needed, refine and improve the legislation, and deliver a bill that truly serves New Yorkers.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
We have a unique perspective on this topic rooted in our dual mandate to serve candidates and voters.
The CFB is committed to ensuring our city's elections are transparent and secure.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
Thank you for your time and your leadership on this issue.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
Amanda and I are available to answer any questions you may have.