We’re in Wisconsin today, where a candidate for state supreme court had her image manipulated by AI in an opponent’s attack ad, and the state high court allowed the state’s embattled elections board administrator to stay, after three years of conspiracy-driven attacks by state GOP leaders.
The post In WI, State Supreme Court Candidate’s Image Altered by AI in Opponent’s Attack Ad; Election Commission Administrator Targeted by Conspiracy Theorists Allowed to Stay appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
]]>The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 10, 2025
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
We’re in Wisconsin today, where a candidate for state supreme court had her image manipulated by AI in an opponent’s attack ad, and the state high court allowed the state’s embattled elections board administrator to stay, after three years of conspiracy-driven attacks by state GOP leaders.
The campaign of former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel has admitted it used AI to manipulate an image of his opponent, Dane County circuit court judge Susan Crawford. An ethics complaint was filed February 5th with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. The Schimel campaign manipulated a photo with Crawford smiling and told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it used AI to make her look “ashamed.” Wisconsin Act 123 requires disclosure of such manipulation and has fines of up to $1000 dollars per instance.
v Schimel campaign AI-manipulated image.
In a story we’ve followed since 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has allowed Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe to stay in her job, despite not being reappointed by the GOP-dominated legislature. Wolfe has been vilified by election deniers for recommending the mailing of absentee ballots to nursing home residents during pandemic, rather than putting residents and election officials at risk. Conspiracy theorists claim Wolfe attempted to sway the 2020 election results. A partisan deadlock on the Elections Commission and court precedents have prevented her from being replaced for almost two years.
We have local reporting and more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Wisconsin Legislative Council – 2023 WISCONSIN ACT 123
Schimel Campaign on X – Attack ad on WI Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Schimel campaign acknowledges altering photo in ad to make opponent Crawford look ‘ashamed’
Wisconsin Politics – Crawford campaign: Files ethics complaint, urges thorough investigation over manipulated image used by Brad Schimel
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Wisconsin Senate Election Deniers Vote to Oust the State’s Election Director for Recommending 2020 Pandemic Voting Accommodations
Wisconsin Watch – Meagan Wolfe can stay on as Wisconsin’s top election official, state Supreme Court rules
Wisconsin Examiner – Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously finds WEC administrator can stay in job
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #WINews #WisconsinElection #AIEthics #MeaganWolfe
The post In WI, State Supreme Court Candidate’s Image Altered by AI in Opponent’s Attack Ad; Election Commission Administrator Targeted by Conspiracy Theorists Allowed to Stay appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
]]>U.S. government cybersecurity experts issued warnings April 17th to election and public officials to lock down computer systems and train staff, in preparation for expected disinformation campaigns by Russia, China and possibly Iran.
The post FBI, CISA and ODNI Issue Guidance to Election Officials to Harden Websites, Train Staff and Educate Voters, Anticipating Foreign Influence Campaigns appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
]]>The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 22, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
U.S. government cybersecurity experts issued warnings April 17th to election and public officials to lock down computer systems and train staff, in preparation for expected disinformation campaigns by Russia, China and possibly Iran.
The FBI Counterintelligence Division, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint eight-page report with the warnings and recommendations. The report is aimed at state and local election officials in preparation for the 2024 elections.
The report cites recent efforts by Russia to create “proxy media” sites, which mix real news stories with stories using messaging to undermine confidence in elections, and to plant stories among unsuspecting U.S. politicians and influencers. There is also evidence in Europe of Russian experimentation with AI-generated TV news anchors, and AI voice cloning of politicians and public figures.
The U.S. agencies recommend municipalities use only .gov website extensions, to harden those sites, and distribute official information only through those locations. Multi-factor authentication for those sites should be implemented. For official social media accounts, the platform’s highest security available is recommended.
Security officials further recommend that election officials train not only their staff on what to look out for, but teach voters to be smart about information sources and sharing of election information.
We have a link to the recommendations at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
CISA – Statement: CISA, FBI, and ODNI Release Guidance for Securing Election Infrastructure Against the Tactics of Foreign Malign Influence Operations
FBI, CISA & ODNI – Report: SECURING ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST THE
TACTICS OF FOREIGN MALIGN INFLUENCE OPERATIONS
Brennan Center for Justice – Preparing to Fight AI-Backed Voter Suppression
Brennan Center for Justice – Recommendations to Fight Back Against Election Misinformation
Rand Corporation – Analyzing Election Disinformation Efforts
Fordham Law Voting Rights & Democracy Project – Spies, Trolls, and Bots: Combating Foreign Election Interference in the Marketplace of Ideas
Groups Taking Action:
IssueOne/Don’t Mess With US.org, Common Cause US, Protect Elections, Center for Internet Security/ISAC
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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #ForeignElectionInterference #ProtectElections #Disinformation
The post FBI, CISA and ODNI Issue Guidance to Election Officials to Harden Websites, Train Staff and Educate Voters, Anticipating Foreign Influence Campaigns appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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