Google has recently announced restrictions on election-related queries that users can ask its Gemini chatbot. These changes have been implemented in the United States and India in preparation for the upcoming elections.

In a blog post titled “Supporting the 2024 Indian General Election,” Google, owned by Alphabet, expressed its commitment to avoiding potential issues with its technology. This decision follows the removal of Google’s AI image generation tool in February due to controversies surrounding historical inaccuracies and contentious responses.

The image generator was initially introduced in February as part of Google’s suite of AI models called Gemini. Concerns have been raised about misinformation and fake news stemming from advancements in generative AI, specifically in image and video generation, prompting governments to consider regulating the technology.

Google stated in its blog post: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have started to restrict the types of election-related queries that Gemini will respond to. We take our responsibility for providing accurate information seriously and are constantly working to enhance our safeguards.”

Countries like South Africa and India are also preparing for national elections. In India, tech companies are required to obtain government approval before publicly releasing AI tools that are deemed “unreliable” or in a trial phase. These tools must also be appropriately labeled to indicate the potential for inaccurate results.

The rise of publicly accessible AI tools has led to an increase in political deepfakes, challenging voters to discern reality from fake content. U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair, Senator Mark Warner, has expressed concerns about election fraud preparedness for the 2024 election compared to the previous one in 2020.

In Europe, the European Commission has established guidelines to address AI misinformation on platforms operating in the region. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also developed a strategy for the European Union to combat the misuse of generative AI in content on its platforms.

Stay updated with the latest news on Global Crypto News to learn more about the evolving landscape of AI technology and its impact on elections.

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