In a Reuters exclusive report on November 6, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it would not permit political campaigns and advertisers to utilize its generative artificial intelligence (AI) advertising tools. The decision comes as a proactive measure to address potential risks and safeguard sensitive topics within regulated industries.
The company made the policy change evident by updating its help center, where it explained that advertisers running campaigns related to Housing, Employment, Credit, Social Issues, Elections, Politics, Health, Pharmaceuticals, or Financial Services would be restricted from using the Generative AI features within Ads Manager. Meta believes that this approach will enable them to better understand the potential risks associated with AI in advertisements and develop appropriate safeguards.
Although Meta’s general advertising standards don’t explicitly address AI, the company has long prohibited ads containing content debunked by its fact-checking partners. In a similar vein, Google updated its political content policy in September, requiring verified election advertisers to disclose their use of AI in campaign content. Google’s policy targets synthetic content that inauthentically portrays people or events, emphasizing the need for clear and conspicuous notices where users can readily spot them.
Nevertheless, Google’s platforms exempt ads containing synthetic content that does not materially affect the ad’s claims from the disclosure requirements. The United States is also contemplating potential regulations surrounding political AI deep fakes in anticipation of the 2024 election cycle. Concerns have arisen about AI’s role on social media platforms, with worries that it could influence voter sentiment by generating fake news and deep fakes.
Furthermore, the accessibility of AI tools has enabled the production of deceptive content, intensifying the urgency to establish effective regulations. In a related context, there have been claims suggesting that ChatGPT, one of the most popular AI chatbots, may possess a left-leaning political bias. However, it’s important to note that these claims are widely disputed within the AI community and academic circles.
Meta’s decision to limit AI tools for political campaigns and advertisers is a response to the evolving landscape of digital advertising, where AI-generated content can have a significant impact on public discourse and elections. The move reflects the tech industry’s ongoing efforts to strike a balance between innovation and responsible AI usage in the realm of political advertising.
