"In preparation for this hearing, my staff generated three AI versions of what I might say today. I'm reading the version I wrote, not a chat," Secretary Adams joked. "Or am I?"
Adams injected a bit of levity to his prepared remarks, but most of his testimony consisted of red flags being raised by AI experts on the potential for malign uses of the technology.
While the state has passed a narrow law barring deepfakes of political candidates, Adams noted that, in the short term, the tech could be aimed at something more fundamental.
"Media coverage to date has focused on the use of AI to target political parties or officials, but it is likelier that the most significant target this year will be trust in the electoral process itself," he said.
On that topic of misuse, Adams characterized current AI as an "accelerant," noting that it's too early to assess all the ways — good or bad — that artificial intelligence may reshape elections.
Adams testified before an AI intelligence task force that's set to begin collecting its findings and drafting potential legislation in November. The secretary is asking that lawmakers consider outlawing AI impersonations of any election official.
