Introduction to the White House’s AI Action Plan
The White House has released a new action plan that addresses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. Compared to President Biden’s executive orders on AI, the new plan is mostly devoid of measures to make AI safer. However, there is a notable exception: a section that tackles the harms posed by deepfakes.
What are Deepfakes and Why are They a Concern?
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or images that can be used to create fake content, such as nonconsensual sexually explicit videos. In May, Trump signed legislation to protect people from such deepfakes, a growing concern for celebrities and everyday people alike. The White House is now concerned about the issues deepfakes could pose for the legal system, such as fake evidence being used to deny justice to both plaintiffs and defendants.
The White House’s Plan to Address Deepfakes
The White House is calling for new standards for deepfake detection and is asking the Department of Justice to create rules around it. However, legal experts are more concerned about a different problem: lawyers adopting AI models that make errors, such as citing cases that don’t exist, which judges may not catch. This issue is not addressed in the action plan.
Hypocrisy in the White House’s Messaging
Just days before releasing the plan, President Trump shared a fake AI-generated video of former President Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office. This move has raised questions about the sincerity of the White House’s concerns about deepfakes.
The AI Action Plan: A Reflection of the Trump Administration’s Priorities
The AI Action Plan reflects the Trump administration’s priorities, which include harnessing AI to win culture wars and geopolitical conflicts. The plan includes crowd-pleasers, such as cracking down on deepfakes, but overall, it shows how tech giants have cozied up to the Trump administration. The fact that it contains almost no provisions challenging their power demonstrates how their investment in this relationship is paying off.
Conclusion
The White House’s messaging on deepfakes is confused, and the new action plan is mostly devoid of measures to make AI safer. While the plan addresses the harms posed by deepfakes, it raises questions about the sincerity of the White House’s concerns. The plan reflects the Trump administration’s priorities, which prioritize the use of AI for political gain over making it safer.
FAQs
Q: What are deepfakes?
A: Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or images that can be used to create fake content.
Q: Why is the White House concerned about deepfakes?
A: The White House is concerned about the issues deepfakes could pose for the legal system, such as fake evidence being used to deny justice to both plaintiffs and defendants.
Q: What is the White House’s plan to address deepfakes?
A: The White House is calling for new standards for deepfake detection and is asking the Department of Justice to create rules around it.
Q: Is the White House’s messaging on deepfakes sincere?
A: The White House’s messaging on deepfakes has been questioned, particularly after President Trump shared a fake AI-generated video of former President Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office.
