Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in advance of the AI Insight Forum on artificial intelligence (AI) and elections.

Last month, TechNet submitted comments to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on the subject of “fraudulent misrepresentation” regarding deliberately misleading campaign communications generated with AI.

The following statement can be attributed to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:

“Voters need to have confidence that the information they receive about candidates is accurate and reliable to make informed decisions. Any campaign-related content that intentionally and fraudulently misrepresents candidates must be barred from elections for the safety of our democracy. This prohibition should extend to state campaigns as well.

“AI has the potential to help us solve the greatest challenges of our time. However, recognizing and addressing its risks is crucial for its responsible development. That includes preventing candidates and their agents from using AI to release deliberately misleading campaign content.

“We thank Leader Schumer and Senators Rounds, Heinrich, and Young for their continued leadership on AI and for holding today’s important discussion on AI and elections.”

Read our letter here.

Additional background on TechNet’s recent actions and leadership on AI policy:

  • TechNet released a comprehensive federal AI policy framework, which included recommendations for protecting the personal information of consumers, promoting innovation and our global competitiveness, identifying unintended bias and discrimination, and investing in upskilling and workforce training programs.
  • TechNet issued a statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on artificial intelligence.
  • TechNet submitted robust comments to the U.S. Copyright Office on AI and copyright law.
  • TechNet launched “AI For America,” a $25 million public affairs initiative to promote AI’s current and future benefits and educate and inform Americans on how AI is already improving their lives, growing our economy, and keeping us safe.
  • John Doerr, TechNet co-founder and Executive Council member and Chairman of Kleiner Perkins, and Steve Case, TechNet Executive Council member and Chairman and CEO of Revolution, recently participated in a Senate AI Insight Forum focused on innovation and global competitiveness.
  • TechNet hosted a marquee event on Capitol Hill that brought together over 250 interested parties and 25 expert speakers to discuss the positive impact AI is having and will have on all Americans from every walk of life. Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Google DeepMind Senior Research Director Douglas Eck, Getaround Founder and CEO Sam Zaid, Nasdaq Chief Technology Officer/Chief Information Officer Brad Peterson, and other industry leaders participated. You can watch the event here.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) urging them to enforce their existing authority on “fraudulent misrepresentation” and bar deliberately misleading campaign communications generated with AI.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy as they were developing their National AI Strategy.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy on automated systems in the workplace.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on AI system accountability measures and policies.