Today, New Democrat Coalition Artificial Intelligence Working Group Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led 30 New Dems in a letter to the CEOs of leading generative AI developer companies and social media companies to raise concerns about the rise of synthetic media that is designed to manipulate or deceive online users. 

The increasing ease of both creating and viewing deceptive synthetic media, including deep fakes and synthetic images, have sparked considerable concern about increased threats from adversaries or bad actors who seek to exploit this medium to spread misinformation and disinformation. This can further complicate efforts to combat false narratives about important current events related to politics, culture, natural disasters, and more. 

This letter asks these companies to share information about their efforts to identify, monitor, and disclose deceptive synthetic media created using their platform and encourages these companies to collaborate with lawmakers to develop solutions that address its associated risks.

“Artificial Intelligence is changing how we live, offering new benefits but also new risks,” said New Dem AI Working Group Chair Kilmer. “As we see more synthetic online content intended to deceive users – including videos, images, and audio – it’s clear all of us need to take this seriously. It’s important that platforms where AI-generated content is created, platforms where that content is distributed and shared, and lawmakers are working together to address risks associated with deceptive synthetic media. And it’s crucial that users have the tools to distinguish between authentic and computer-generated content. Our democracy depends on it.” 

The letter reads in part: 

“[W]e are troubled by the development of online environments where users may have to question the veracity of the content they view online without the necessary tools, information, and resources to accurately do so. To that end, we urge efforts for generative AI developers and social media platforms to collaborate on solutions to both educate users, as well as appropriately flag and disclose synthetic media, particularly as it relates to content with the intent to deceive or manipulate users.” 

The New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force sent a letter to President Biden outlining the Trade Task Force’s comprehensive policy plan to maintain the United States as a leader in the global marketplace and enact trade policies that will benefit American workers, consumers, growers, producers, and businesses.

In the letter, New Dem Trade Leaders describe the Task Force’s eight key objectives to build on recent progress and further strengthen U.S. trade policy:

1. Counter Competitive Threats and Abuses from China
2. Establish a Durable and Sustainable Approach to Trade
3. Return to Reciprocal Bilateral/Regional Trade Agreements
4. Strengthen the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
5. Build a More Robust Trade Relationship with Taiwan
6. Reduce Barriers to Trade that Increase Costs for Americans and Hurt U.S. Businesses
7. Promote the U.S. Digital Economy and Lead Negotiations on Agreements Related to Digital Trade
8. Support Agricultural Exports by Reducing Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers

New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Chair Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Vice Chairs Don Beyer (VA-08) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on the letter:

“Since its founding over 20 years ago, the New Democrat Coalition has been integral to the congressional consideration of every major trade initiative, including the historic and bipartisan United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“Today, our Task Force seeks to build on this legacy by calling on the Biden administration to join New Dems in implementing our eight key policy objectives to strengthen America’s trade economy. 

“New Dems are committed to advancing durable solutions to our greatest challenges – from strengthening Americas’ trade relationships and countering China’s illegal trade practices to bolstering agricultural exports and setting the global standard for digital trade.

“The New Dem Trade Task Force looks forward to working with the Biden administration and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build on the progress of the USMCA by delivering on these priorities.”