New jersey officials warn voters about deepfakes ahead of 2024 election — An example of an AI generated 'deep fake' of a man drinking a white fluid next to a horse. Neither the man or the horse is real and the image is completely AI Generated

TRENTON, N.J. — With the 2024 presidential election approaching, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin have issued guidance to help residents identify and avoid deepfakes—AI-generated media used to spread misinformation and confuse voters.

Deepfakes are manipulated photos, videos, or audio clips that appear real but do not represent actual events. They can be used to create false narratives about political candidates, parties, or even voting procedures, potentially misleading the public. The guidance aims to raise awareness of how deepfakes are used in social media posts, emails, phone calls, and other communications, and provides tools to spot and report them.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and preserving the integrity of that process is paramount,” said Attorney General Platkin. “By raising the public’s awareness of political deepfakes, we are minimizing this potential threat to our electoral process and providing New Jersey voters with critical tools to help them cast their ballot with confidence.”

Lt. Governor Way emphasized the growing threat posed by deepfakes. “Generative AI has made it easier to produce political deepfakes—whether through manipulated images, videos, or voices—that mislead and deceive voters. This initiative is a vital step in helping voters recognize these tactics and ensuring the integrity of our free and fair elections,” she said.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to protect New Jersey’s electoral integrity. Other initiatives include the state’s official voter information site, NJ.gov, and a Voter Protection initiative aimed at addressing voting rights violations. The Secretary of State’s Office has also launched a Trusted Sources campaign to help voters identify verified election information and combat misinformation.

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