Has Elon Musk Gone Too Far? The Truth About Deepfakes

After entrepreneur Elon Musk, a leading voice on AI technology and development, shared a deepfake campaign ad for Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed bills to crack down on the use of such technology in election campaigns.

“Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy, and it’s critical that we ensure AI is not deployed to undermine the public’s trust through disinformation—especially in today’s fraught political climate,” Newsom said in a public statement announcing the actions.

California is Harris’ home state, where she was attorney general and U.S. senator before being elected vice president as President Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020.

One bill “requires large online platforms to remove or label deceptive and digitally altered or created content related to elections during specified periods,” according to the California governor’s website. It also requires digital platforms to “provide mechanisms to report such content.”

Deepfakes, the use of artificial intelligence technology to create images, video, or audio that looks real but isn’t, have become much easier to create with recent advancements in artificial intelligence, or AI.

The satirical ad Musk shared features Harris’ voice and begins: “Kamala Harris, your Democrat candidate for president, because Joe Biden finally exposed his senility at the debate. Thanks, Joe.”

Although the Harris ad was clearly satirical, many deepfakes are difficult to identify, leading to questions over the kind of laws that should be passed to protect individuals’ images, voices, and likelinesses.

On this week’s edition of “Problematic Women,” Heritage Foundation tech policy expert Kara Frederick joins the show to discuss the fine line between limiting the dangers of AI and protecting free speech.

Watch the show above or listen using the link below.

The post Has Elon Musk Gone Too Far? The Truth About Deepfakes appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Taylor Swift’s Endorsement of Harris and Other Big Debate Night Moments

Moments after the end of the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift issued her endorsement. 

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift wrote in a post on Instagram Tuesday night.

“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift added, signing the post “Childless Cat Lady.” The signature was a clear dig at Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, Trump’s running mate, who has drawn criticism for claiming that the Democratic Party is full of “childless cat ladies.” Swift is unmarried, has no children, and owns three cats.

Swift’s endorsement of Harris comes as no surprise. The singer has made her political leanings clear, much to the disappointment of some of her fans. In fact, Swift may have clearer political views on some issues than the candidate she endorsed. 

Asked why she has changed policy positions on issues such as fracking, a mandatory buy-back program for assault weapons, and decriminalizing crossing the border, Harris either could not—or would not—answer during Tuesday night’s ABC debate. 

“I know you say that your values have not changed; so, then why have so many of your policy positions changed?” ABC’s Linsey Davis asked Harris. 

“So, my values have not changed,” Harris began.

“I’m going to discuss every one, at least every point that you’ve made,” she said, before going on to say she would not ban fracking, and then discussing her views on the economy, protecting the vulnerable, Social Security, and Medicare. 

“My values have not changed,” Harris said again, without addressing her changes in policy on the border or assault weapons. 

Trump spent much of the ABC debate on the defensive, appearing to take the bait in nearly every trap Harris laid for him, from his father’s success as a businessman to the size of his campaign rallies. It was not a boring evening, but it was also not the debate many conservative voters were hoping for.

On today’s edition of “Problematic Women,” Reagan Reese, White House correspondent for The Daily Caller, joins the show for a postdebate recap of the night’s biggest wins, losses, and memorable moments. 

The post Taylor Swift’s Endorsement of Harris and Other Big Debate Night Moments appeared first on The Daily Signal.

What to Watch for During Trump-Harris Debate Showdown

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will confront one another in person for the first time Tuesday evening as they face off during the presidential debate on ABC. 

Though the second presidential debate of the season for Trump, this will be Harris’ first time going toe-to-toe with Trump after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race following his disastrous debate performance on June 27. 

The Trump-Harris debate, which begins at 9 p.m. EDT, is being held at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center. 

The candidates have made their dislike for one another abundantly clear in the weeks leading up to the debate; so, will they be able to maintain a sense of decorum and remain focused on policy issues? How will Harris address the high inflation rate under the Biden administration? And will Trump clarify his position on abortion? 

Tune into today’s bonus episode of the “Problematic Women” podcast with guest Emily Jashinsky, UnHerd’s Washington, D.C., correspondent and host of “Undercurrents,” as we discuss what to watch for during tonight’s debate. 

Watch the show above or listen to the audio only below.

The post What to Watch for During Trump-Harris Debate Showdown appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Congress Was Doing ‘Girl Math’ Before It Was Cool

It’s been more than 20 years since the federal government last balanced the budget. While Americans are obligated to lenders and creditors for overspending, the government has made a habit of spending more than it takes in.

You could say that Congress was doing “girl math” long before it was cool. 

Popularized on social media, “girl math” refers to an unwritten playbook women sometimes use to justify purchases. A jacket anticipated to cost $150 is on sale for $75, so now you can spend the other $75 on a pair of shoes because you save 50% of the jacket. That’s girl math. Or you forgot you had $20 in your Venmo account; so, paying your friend back for dinner was actually “free.” That, too, is “girl math.” 

While “girl math” is usually a funny joke between friends, it can go too far to justify irresponsible spending, and no one is better at justifying lavish and wasteful spending than the federal government. 

Congress returns to Washington, D.C., next week after its summer recess. Given that lawmakers hold the power of the purse, it’s the job of Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. Instead, what has happened in previous years, and what’s expected to happen again this year, is Congress will disagree over spending levels and, in order to keep the doors of the government open, a continuing resolution will be passed to keep the government funded.

Eventually, after enough arm-twisting and hand-wringing, Congress will pass a budget for the new fiscal year, likely a couple of days before Christmas. In the end, American taxpayers are left trying to foot a bill citizens never asked for and can’t afford. 

On this week’s edition of “Problematic Women,” we dig into the congressional budget process, and why Congress fails time and again to balance the budget. 

Also on today’s show, we celebrate the start of the college football season with some controversial news over sign-stealing. And women’s rugby star Ilona Maher is back in headlines for her bikini shoot with Sports Illustrated. We bring you all the gossip on this and more. Enjoy the show!

The post Congress Was Doing ‘Girl Math’ Before It Was Cool appeared first on The Daily Signal.