SAN ANTONIO – This is the first major election of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) era, and we’re already seeing its impact.

But is this technology helping or hurting our choices? Experts say the answer is both.

Texas experts say the threat of AI interfering with our physical election systems is very low. What could interfere is with decision making.

One of the big threats is deepfakes. This is content that looks realistic and tries to influence where, how and when you vote.

Sometimes the content is obviously fake.

This generated video of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump walking on a beach is an example.

The faces are a bit contorted, the movements aren’t perfect and everything looks airbrushed.

This video was shared by user @dominictsz on X in August.

Also, the Republican National Committee released an ad last year, featuring what they described as “an AI-generated look at the country’s possible future if Joe Biden is re-elected in 2024.”

It’s an apocalyptic clip, showing images of city streets, the border and law enforcement in situations that don’t exist. In the corner, the ad says “built entirely with AI imagery.”

But other ads make AI harder to spot.

Thousands of people, including Elon Musk, shared a video X from @MrReaganUSA. The creator describes it as a parody.

Hear Harris’ voice saying things she didn’t actually say, juxtaposed with photos and videos of her.

It still raises eyebrows, but the manipulation is not as obvious.

The purpose of those more realistic videos is to trick you.

“To create chaos, to create doubt about the election, to basically sow Americans’ distrust of their election process and their government,” said Jon Taylor, the chair of political science and geography at UTSA.

And videos aren’t hard to create.

I created an AI version of investigative reporter Jordan Elder in about 15 minutes.

The platform was free and had measures to make sure people couldn’t use it to make deep fakes of others.

It was very accurate, reflecting Elder’s mannerisms and voice, but it wasn’t perfect. The audio didn’t quite match up and the AI ​​version of Elder’s voice lacked emphasis.

But experts say that over time, companies will iron out these hiccups and AI videos will be much harder to spot.

We see deepfakes used in politics nationally, but also here in Texas races.

In April, an email surfaced showing Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan hugging former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

That never happened. Phelan’s face appears to be placed over new House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

In a post on X, Phelan says it’s a “profound fake photo.”

“We have a deepfake law on the books from 2019,” said political attorney Andrew Cates. “But it’s already behind.”

Texas was actually the first state to criminalize some deepfakes in 2019.

You could get a year in a county jail and a fine of up to $4,000, but only if there are videos and only in the 30 days before the election.

“Is there enough time to make a difference, especially because the technology is more advanced now?” Elder asked.

“Absolutely not,” Cates said. “The threat of these deepfakes doesn’t stop at 30 days. It just isn’t.”

So for that AI shot of Speaker Phelan…

“It was technically legal,” Taylor said.

In an April hearing, lawmakers said it might be time for an update.

“The reason it should be against the law isn’t because it hurts our feelings as elected officials, right?” said House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Chairman Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake. “We understand that all the time, but because it’s intentionally meant to deceive the voter.”

The other risk with deepfakes? Confidence in elections.

Experts say bad actors could target election officials by altering media intended to sow distrust among voters.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued guidance recommending that all election officials prepare for it.

Taylor says Arizona election officials have been planning any such attempts for months.

We asked Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen if her office is preparing for possible AI or deepfake interference.

“Obviously, we’ve trained all of our election officials, but we’re looking at it just like you are,” Callanen said.

But experts tell us that the age of AI may not be all bad for elections.

“It could have a profound impact on how we do campaigns, elections, campaigning in general, advertising and lobbying,” Taylor said.

The I-Team will show you some of the ways it’s already being used to save campaign time and money, and some of the questions about its ethics, on Thursday.