Councillor Jeremy Caradonna has put forth a motion for this week’s committee of the whole meeting that aims at controlling the spread of disinformation through artificial intelligence (AI).
Rapid development of AI technologies poses a unique dichotomy of opportunities and challenges that Caradonna worries about—especially in regards to its potential to spread untruths.
The councillor recognizes that in many fields of industry, the technology is providing undeniable benefits, but also notes that when used with malicious intent, AI could potentially be used to destabilize democracies by confusing and manipulating citizens.
He points specifically to the emerging ability to create authentic-looking artificial images and “deepfakes.”
To demonstrate his concern for how accurate these deepfakes and computer-generated videos can be used for malice, he had a friend create one of him. The video appears to be Caradonna, sounds like him and is even complete with details like an Anian overshirt that is quintessentially Victorian.
“Bad actors, from unsophisticated online trolls to hostile foreign states, have unprecedented access to AI programs that distort reality, generate social discord and divisiveness, and potentially weaken representative democracy,” wrote Caradonna in a press release regarding his motion.
“To emphasize this point, I asked a friend to create an AI version of me to highlight just how easy it is to have authentic-looking digital creations dispense false information and fabricated content.”
View this post on Instagram
Caradonna noted that oftentimes governments can be slow to react to changing technologies and he wants to see protections put in place for local governments such as Victoria’s.
His motion for council aims to bring a new resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) that could help bring this sought-after regulation into place via higher levels of government.
The end goal would see provincial and federal governments work with local governments to create reasonable and enforceable regulations of AI technologies.
These regulations would safeguard democracy and national sovereignty, mitigate social and political divisions and proactively combat misinformation and disinformation from being spread.
