By Fraser Barton

Independent Federal Senator David Pocock has renewed calls to ban the use of generative artificial intelligence in the next federal election campaign.

Senator Pocock has shared two fake AI videos to social media depicting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton agreeing to ban all forms of gambling advertising, to show just how far the technology has come.

He says they highlight how generative AI can be used to misinform and dupe social media users.

“I can’t believe what I’ve just seen,” Senator Pocock says at the beginning of his Instagram posts.

“That video is fake and there are currently no laws about making videos like that.

“I’m concerned we’re not seeing the urgency to protect our democracy from generative AI.”

Senator Pocock is calling for urgent legislation that will ban the use of generative AI in election material and introduce truth in political advertising laws.

These issues are not local to Australia, with a growing number of examples around the world of generative AI’s use in trying to influence elections, Senator Pocock said.

“The Australian Electoral Commissioner told a senate inquiry that I helped initiate that they expect to see the same kind of attempts here,” he said.

“Now is the time for the government to act to safeguard our democracy and ensure elections are fought and won as a contest of ideas, not on the basis of who can produce the best deepfakes or tell the most convincing lies.”

Senator Pocock and Curtin MP Kate Chaney have introduced private bills to parliament for electoral reforms.

He has also launched a petition calling for reforms that had reached 778 signatures on Saturday.

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