Google, Alphabet to set a hard limit on US 2024 election queries that Bard, other AI-based search can answer

Alphabet-owned Google has announced that it plans to implement restrictions on the types of election-related queries that its chatbot Bard and generative AI-based search experiences can respond to in the lead-up to the 2024 US Presidential election. The company aims to enforce these restrictions by early 2024, as per a report by Reuters. In addition to the US Presidential election, 2024 is anticipated to witness several pivotal elections globally, including national elections in India, the world’s largest democracy, and South Africa, among others. Google expressed its commitment to a heightened focus on understanding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in serving voters and campaigns associated with these elections. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, also took a stance on AI in political advertising, revealing earlier in November that it would prohibit political campaigns and advertisers in regulated industries from using its new generative AI advertising products. Advertisers on Meta’s platforms will be required to disclose the use of AI or other digital methods in altering or creating political, social, or election-related advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. In contrast, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, currently under investigation by the European Union, announced in August a shift in its policy to allow political advertising in the US from candidates and political parties. X also plans to expand its safety and elections team ahead of the upcoming US election. Notably, political ads have been globally banned on X since 2019. Governments worldwide are actively pursuing regulations for AI due to concerns about its potential threats, including the dissemination of misinformation. European Union rules will soon require Big Tech firms to clearly label political advertising on their platforms, providing information about the sponsor, the amount spent, and the targeted elections. (With inputs from agencies)