Google Cracks Down On AI-Altered Election Ads

In a bid to enhance transparency and accountability in political advertising, Alphabet Inc. GOOG GOOGL’s Google is rolling out a new policy that will require election advertisers to disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools in crafting their messages.

Starting mid-November, this policy will have significant implications for election campaigns across Google’s platforms, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

The AI Disclosure Mandate

Under this policy update, election advertisers utilizing generative AI, software capable of creating or modifying content based on a simple prompt, must prominently display disclosure messages in their ads.

These messages must explicitly state when content has been altered by AI, such as “This audio was computer generated” or “This image does not depict real events.” The policy excludes minor adjustments like image resizing or brightness adjustments.

Google’s Commitment To Transparency

This move reflects Google’s commitment to transparency in political advertising, especially in an era where AI tools, including its own, are increasingly used to create synthetic content.

Michael Aciman, a Google spokesperson, notes that this policy aims to support responsible political advertising and provide voters with the information they need to make informed choices.

Youtube, Instagram, X Opt Out

It’s important to note that Google’s new policy does not extend to videos uploaded on YouTube, even if they are related to political campaigns.

The same is also true for Meta Platforms Inc. META’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as for Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Ongoing Battle Against Misinformation

Google’s decision to enact this policy comes in response to growing pressure to combat misinformation on its platforms, particularly false claims related to elections and voting.

In the past, Google has taken steps such as identity verification for election advertisers and targeting restrictions for election ads. The company has also provided a transparency center for the public to track election ad purchases, spending, and impressions on its platforms.

Shares of Alphabet Inc. closed 1% lower to $135.37 on Wednesday.

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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo: Pixabay.