Meta to start labeling political ads with AI-generated images ahead of 2024 election

Facebook and Instagram will require political ads on their platforms to disclose if they were created with artificial intelligence so they can be labeled as such, Meta, the parent company of the social media giants, announced Wednesday.

The new policy, which will take effect worldwide Jan. 1, will place labels acknowledging the use of artificial intelligence on users' screens when they click on the advertisements, according to The Associated Press. 

The development comes amid concerns that AI-generated images could be used to quickly develop lifelike images, video and audio that could be used  fake videos of candidates and events. When shared on social media, it could confuse voters on a large scale. 

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar hailed Meta's decision as positive but said more needs to be done. 

"This decision by Meta is a step in the right direction, but we can’t rely on voluntary commitments alone," she said Tuesday after a spokesperson confirmed the plans earlier this week. "I’m continuing to push to pass stronger disclosure laws that account for AI-manipulated content in campaign ads, as well as to ban deceptive AI-generated content in our elections and counter the spread of election-related disinformation."

AI-generated ads are already being used in the U.S. Over the summer, a super PAC supporting Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for president launched an ad that used AI to mimic former President Donald Trump's voice to criticize Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has since endorsed DeSantis.

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