Recent revelations from a report by the House Republicans suggest that ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) research, funded by the current administration, might lead to tools that could potentially censor online content on a much larger scale in the future. The focal point of this concern is derived from the controversial moderation of a news story by Twitter in 2020.
The report, issued by the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Weaponization of Government, outlines the allocation of millions of federal dollars into AI research. The intentional purpose stated for this research is to develop methods to counteract “misinformation” and provide educational resources to combat disinformation.
With the program aiming to support ‘Trust & Authenticity in Communication Systems,’ funds have been granted to prestigious universities for this endeavor, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Michigan. These initiatives were included in what is known as “Track F,” part of the broader “Convergence Accelerator Program.” This program’s objective is to address national-level challenges through advanced research and was initiated discreetly back in 2021.
According to the committee’s findings, Track F’s mandate involves identifying misinformation, developing educational materials, and targeting groups particularly vulnerable to disinformation, such as conservatives and military veterans. The subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), raises questions about the implications of these federally funded technological advancements.
Such AI tools, while beneficial in theory for eliminating online threats like child exploitation content and deceptive media (deepfakes), raise issues regarding freedom of expression. The Republican-authored report emphasizes concerns that the technology under development—and the $13 million backing it—could extend to generalized censorship.
Michael Pozmantier, the program manager of the initiative discussed, is recorded as describing the project’s focus as “combating mis/disinformation.” It’s an aim that, while on the surface appears noble, sparks debate over the safeguarding of First Amendment rights in the digital age.
As the outline from the Republicans indicates, these technologies could coincide with increased regulation of public discourse online. While the intent of the Convergence Accelerator Program is to produce significant societal benefits, it underscores a need for dialogue regarding the balancing act between reining in falsehoods and preserving fundamental free speech principles.
