Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act
Summary
The "Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act" (S. 2346) directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to develop voluntary guidelines for election administration regarding the use and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This includes a report to Congress, state and local election offices, and the public, within 60 days of enactment. The Act also mandates a study on the use of AI in the 2024 elections, due by July 31, 2026, followed by a review and update of the voluntary guidelines.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to provide election administrators with guidance on leveraging AI while mitigating potential risks such as cybersecurity threats and the spread of disinformation. It also seeks to understand how AI was used in the 2024 elections to inform future guidelines. Ultimately, this could lead to more secure and transparent elections.
Potential Benefits
- Provides guidelines for election offices to understand AI risks and benefits.
- Addresses cybersecurity risks related to AI in election administration.
- Offers strategies to combat AI-generated disinformation.
- Promotes public trust and confidence in elections through informed AI use.
- Enhances election integrity by studying the impact of AI in past elections.
Potential Disadvantages
- Voluntary guidelines may not be universally adopted, limiting their effectiveness.
- The 60-day timeframe for the initial report may be insufficient for thorough analysis.
- The study focuses solely on federal elections, potentially overlooking AI's impact on state and local races.
- The reliance on the EAC and NIST may introduce bureaucratic delays.
- The Act does not allocate specific funding for implementation, potentially hindering its impact.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution by promoting secure and fair elections, which are fundamental to representative democracy. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention technology or AI, Article I, Sections 2 and 4, grant Congress the power to regulate elections. The Act's focus on combating disinformation also indirectly supports the First Amendment by ensuring a more informed electorate.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).