skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 14, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Federal prosecutors in NY and DC resign after refusing to drop Mayor Eric Adams charges; IN weighs Bitcoin bet in state investments; In rural east KY, communities find ways to boost kids early learning; and start date for MN's paid leave law is now up for debate.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Proposed UT bill targets AI in political ads

play audio
Play

Wednesday, February 21, 2024   

One Utah lawmaker wants to regulate artificial intelligence in political ads.

Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, is behind Senate Bill 131, which would help ensure Utahns are not being misinformed. The bill would require candidates to disclose if AI is used in political advertisements or not use it all.

Karthik Ramakrishnan, founder and CEO of Armilla AI, said officials should focus more on regulating artificial intelligence models to ensure misinformation and disinformation do not fall through the cracks.

"Technology has advanced to such a degree that we can't even distinguish when something is faked," Ramakrishnan pointed out. "Is that a good thing? In and of itself, it isn't a bad thing, it is the usage of this and by whom that it matters."

The Federal Communications Commission recently banned robocalls using voices generated by AI. Ramakrishnan contended it will be hard to prevent AI-generated content from being produced, which is why he thinks Utah's proposed law is a step in a better direction.

Ramakrishnan argued rather than solely focusing on the negatives, politicians should also use AI in their favor.

"If an official or a candidate wanted to leverage AI, have their voice generated in multiple languages when they call certain demographics, tailor their message to a specific constituency," Ramakrishnan suggested. "Instead of recording 50 or 70, 100 different variations, they can have an AI generate those and speak to their potential voters."

But data from Pew Research Center shows Americans are increasingly cautious about the growing role of AI in their lives with 52% of Americans reporting they are more concerned than excited about AI in daily life.

For companies and organizations using AI, Ramakrishnan encouraged them to willingly submit themselves to a third-party audit and post the results on their websites to instill more confidence and transparency. He suggested people in Utah and around the country cast a more critical eye -- or ear -- on the information they consume, especially in an election year.

"We need to have that extra level of filter," Ramakrishnan emphasized. "Is the plausibility of that being true? And doing our own research. Not taking everything at face value, but doing that second or third order of research, because this is about voting, this is about democracy, it is about your franchise."

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
In 2023, the Biden administration ordered a Bakersfield oil company to remove old oil rigs from Carrizo Plain National Monument in Central California. (Bob Wick/BLM)

Environment

play sound

Groups that fight to protect public lands are criticizing the Trump administration's new review of all oil, gas and mining on public lands. National …


Environment

play sound

This weekend, Virginians will participate with other birders around the world in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Thousands of birding enthusiasts …

Environment

play sound

This weekend, birders across the world, including in Maryland, will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Thousands of birding enthusiasts …


A new study looking at drought impacts on grasslands found that such lands in China saw a 43% reduction in annual productivity, compared with just a 25% reduction in North America under the same conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Grasslands are considered a vital component of South Dakota's landscape. But on the heels of new research, an expert suggests they might not fare as …

Social Issues

play sound

Minnesota is little less than a year away from launching its paid-leave law, but state lawmakers are debating whether to delay the start until 2027…

In its next contract, the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program faculty union is looking for "reasonable" class sizes and for teachers to easily access remote learning tools when needed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A New York City music school's faculty is back in the classroom after a weeklong strike. The Manhattan School of Music's Precollege Program faculty …

Social Issues

play sound

A New York bill would require schools to teach about the Jan. 6 insurrection. The bill calls for all K-12 students to be taught about the event…

Health and Wellness

play sound

An Atlanta-based group is making sure more people have access to an unconventional but effective treatment for their moderate mental health challenges…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021