Following the distribution of a robocall in New Hampshire featuring an AI-generated voice mimicking President Joe Biden, the Federal Communications Commission prohibited AI-generated voices in such calls. This incident highlighted concerns as the 2024 U. S. election unfolded with widespread access to AI tools for creating media, some potentially harmful. Governments and organizations quickly acted to curtail AI misuse: 16 states legislated AI’s electoral use, often mandating disclaimers on synthetic media near elections. The Election Assistance Commission released an "AI toolkit, " and states helped voters recognize AI-generated content. Experts warned AI could produce deepfakes distorting candidates' actions or statements, potentially misleading voters and aiding foreign adversaries. Despite fears, AI-driven misinformation was not rampant. Misinformation predominantly used traditional techniques, including misleading claims about vote counting and mail-in ballots. Paul Barrett from NYU Stern Center noted this election wasn’t "the AI election, " as generative AI wasn't necessary for misleading campaigns. Daniel Schiff of Purdue University observed that misinformation impacting voter turnout was limited and didn't determine election outcomes. AI-generated content mainly supported existing narratives.

For example, misleading claims about Haitians eating pets circulated through AI images after false assertions from former President Trump and JD Vance. Safeguards and regulations minimized AI’s harmful political impact. Meta required AI-use disclosures in political ads, and TikTok labeled AI-generated content. OpenAI banned their tools' use in political campaigns. Misinformation spread via traditional formats; significant figures like Trump disseminated non-AI media. AI’s influence appeared diminished as misinformation actors relied on familiar methods. Authorities traced a fake Biden robocall to a New Orleans magician and a consultant faced severe penalties. AI use for political misinformation didn’t drive significant narratives like disaster relief conspiracies, said experts, who also noted AI deepfakes stirred partisanship rather than alien narratives. Concerns about AI facilitating foreign influence operations persisted, but AI hadn’t revolutionized such efforts, as reported by intelligence agencies. AI tools’ restrictions and platform safeguards helped minimize these operations, focusing instead on staged manipulative content. Platforms and legislation helped deter harmful behaviors, adding protections like watermarks and labels on AI-generated political content. Meta and OpenAI reported rejecting numerous inappropriate AI requests. Despite shortcomings, Daniel Schiff noted the measures taken appeared effective in mitigating AI's potentially disruptive role in the 2024 election.