- The EU believes it could affirm trust and authenticity by removing AI-generated content
- The bloc is also drafting a code of practice to protect citizens.
- However, blocking AI completely might not be the best decision.
The European Union is reportedly considering banning AI-generated images and videos (also known as deepfakes) in official communications.
According to new political In reporting, with ongoing geopolitical tensions rising, elections continuing and new public announcements, it is believed the focus would be to protect confidence in government messaging.
It is unclear whether the rule would ban AI-generated content that imitates official people or places, or whether it would apply to all images and videos in political communications.
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EU considers banning AI deepfakes
As things stand, politicians and policymakers are already expressing concerns about the impact of AI on democracy, with many fearing that fake content could undermine authentic news.
However, a blanket ban might not really be effective. While a complete ban on deepfakes suggests that all EU communications are legitimate, it does not eliminate deepfakes appearing on third-party platforms (particularly social media). An additional seal of approval to verify the authenticity of any EU communication could also help on this front, but that is not included in the current proposals.
There are also calls to more clearly label AI-generated content, as policymakers see the technology as a growing disinformation threat, particularly in global politics.
On the other hand, Europe also seeks to control harmful uses of generative AI. The bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Office has already started drafting a code of practice, which will be further developed by independent experts.
However, as for the proposed ban, the rules are still being shaped and will need to be agreed upon before becoming law.
However, some experts have criticized Europe for being so tough on the rules it sets that it could risk falling behind other nations. “Responsible use trumps abstinence,” wrote OECD advisor Walter Pasquarelli (via political).
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