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Pop superstar Taylor Swift has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, citing concerns about AI-generated misinformation in the electoral process. Her move could reignite debates around artificial intelligence regulation.
Swift voiced her support for the Democratic ticket on Instagram and expressed unease about AI’s potential to spread false information during the campaign. She boasts one of the largest social media followings globally.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site,” Swift wrote. “It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”
The incident Swift referenced involves AI-generated images that appeared to show her endorsing former President Donald Trump, shared across all social media platforms. This follows explicit deepfakes of the singer circulating online months ago, which prompted calls for stricter AI regulation from lawmakers and tech industry leaders.
Reigniting AI regulation discussions
Swift’s endorsement and remarks about AI misinformation underscore growing concerns among public figures and policymakers about the technology’s potential to disrupt democratic processes. It also highlights challenges facing tech companies and legislators in balancing innovation with safeguards against misuse.
Federal legislation regulating AI remains elusive, but some states have taken action. Tennessee, Swift’s home state, recently passed the Ensuring Likeness Image and Voice Security (ELVIS) Act, protecting artists against AI impersonation and deepfakes.
In October, the Biden administration issued an executive order outlining the government’s policy positions on AI and directing federal agencies to explore the use of generative AI applications. The order also established the AI Safety Institute under the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Both OpenAI and Anthropic have agreed to send their unreleased models to the AI Safety Institute for safety evaluations.
Last year, the Biden administration appointed Vice President Harris to represent the U.S. at the UK AI Summit. During the presidential debate on September 10, Harris emphasized the need for the U.S. to “win the competition for the 21st century” by leading the world in AI and quantum computing, supported by American-made chips.
Meanwhile, Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has earned praise from tech leaders for his support of open-source AI.