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Officials Warn Against Relying on AI Chatbots for Voting Information Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election

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With just four days until the U.S. presidential election, government officials are urging voters to avoid relying on artificial intelligence chatbots for election-related information. The New York Attorney General’s office, led by Letitia James, issued a consumer alert on Friday, cautioning that AI-powered chatbots frequently provide incorrect voting information, which could mislead voters.

Testing conducted by the Attorney General’s office on multiple AI chatbots revealed that they often gave inaccurate responses to questions about voting processes, raising concerns that voters could lose their chance to vote if they follow misleading information. The alert emphasized the importance of using official sources to verify voting details as Election Day approaches, with the presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris showing a tight competition.

The increase in generative AI use has amplified fears about election misinformation, with AI-generated content and deepfakes on the rise. Clarity, a machine learning firm, reported a 900% increase in deepfake content over the past year. U.S. intelligence officials warn that some of this content is created or funded by foreign actors, including Russia, in attempts to influence the election.

Experts are particularly wary of misinformation risks associated with generative AI, a technology that rapidly gained popularity after OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022. Large language models (LLMs) are known to produce unreliable information, often “hallucinating” or inventing details about critical voting-related topics like polling locations and voting methods. Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, cautioned, “Voters categorically should not look to AI chatbots for information about voting or the election.”

A study conducted by the Center for Democracy & Technology in July examined responses from major AI chatbots to 77 election-related questions, finding that more than one-third of the answers contained inaccuracies. Chatbots from companies like Mistral, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta were included in the study. In response, an Anthropic spokesperson stated, “For specific election and voting information, we direct users to authoritative sources,” emphasizing that their chatbot, Claude, does not provide real-time updates on election details.

OpenAI announced it will begin prompting users who ask ChatGPT about election results to consult reliable news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters, or to contact local election boards for accurate information. In a recent report, OpenAI disclosed efforts to counter misinformation, disrupting over 20 deceptive networks attempting to misuse their models for disinformation, though none of the election-related activities managed to gain significant traction.

Meanwhile, state legislators are taking steps to counteract AI-based election disinformation. Voting Rights Lab reported that as of November 1, there are 129 bills across 43 states that aim to regulate the spread of AI-generated misinformation related to elections.

 

Meet OpenAI’s First Chief Economist: 3 Things You May Not Know About Dr. Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji

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OpenAI recently appointed Dr. Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji as its first chief economist to lead economic research on AI’s societal impacts, including its effects on the global economy and workforce. According to OpenAI’s press release, Dr. Chatterji will contribute to understanding how artificial intelligence can drive growth, solve complex challenges, and foster long-term prosperity.

Larry Summers, an OpenAI board member and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, praised Dr. Chatterji’s expertise, noting that his insights would guide OpenAI in developing impactful AI tools. Here are three lesser-known facts about Dr. Chatterji:

  1. Duke University Professor for Nearly Two Decades
    Dr. Chatterji has taught at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business since 2006. As a distinguished professor in business and policy, he developed an advanced corporate strategy course that leverages case studies to discuss how evolving political trends influence corporate decision-making. Dr. Chatterji holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
  2. Service in Presidential Economic Policy
    With experience in both the Biden and Obama administrations, Dr. Chatterji has held significant economic policy roles. Most recently, he served as acting deputy director of the National Economic Council from September 2022 to August 2023, where he helped execute President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act. In 2010, he worked as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisors under President Obama.
  3. Prolific Author and Researcher
    Dr. Chatterji has published over 30 research papers, co-authored Can Business Save the Earth? Innovating Our Way to Sustainability (2018), and co-edited The Role of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Economic Growth (2022). His research often focuses on how innovation and entrepreneurship impact economic growth, aiming to apply this expertise to support OpenAI’s mission of broadly distributing AI’s benefits.

 

Microsoft Generative AI Research VP Set to Transition to OpenAI

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Microsoft recently announced that Sebastien Bubeck, its vice president of Generative AI research, will be departing the company to join OpenAI, the organization behind the ChatGPT technology. This move underscores the ongoing evolution and competition within the AI landscape, particularly as companies race to develop more advanced artificial intelligence solutions. While specifics regarding Bubeck’s new position at OpenAI remain unclear, his expertise in generative AI is expected to significantly contribute to the company’s ambitious goals.

The transition comes at a time when Microsoft has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence, integrating AI capabilities into its products and services. Bubeck’s departure marks a notable shift within the tech giant, as he has been a key figure in shaping its AI research direction. A Microsoft spokesperson acknowledged Bubeck’s decision, emphasizing that the company looks forward to maintaining a collaborative relationship with him in his new role at OpenAI, highlighting the interconnectedness of the two organizations in the pursuit of advancing AI technologies.

Sebastien Bubeck’s work at Microsoft has focused on pushing the boundaries of generative AI, particularly in the areas of natural language processing and machine learning. His experience will be invaluable at OpenAI, which is at the forefront of developing advanced AI models. As OpenAI continues to innovate and expand its capabilities, Bubeck’s insights and leadership could play a crucial role in shaping the future of artificial general intelligence (AGI).

This development also reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where talent mobility between leading companies is common, particularly in specialized fields like AI. As organizations seek to harness the potential of generative AI, the exchange of ideas and expertise will be essential for driving innovation. Bubeck’s transition is not just a significant change for Microsoft but also signals exciting possibilities for OpenAI as it strives to further its mission of ensuring that AGI benefits all of humanity.