Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, discussed the potential for election denialism in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Krebs noted that despite the lack of credible evidence, there are still claims of problems with the 2020 and 2022 elections. He emphasized that significant investments have been made in election security and modernizing election systems since 2020, with the majority of votes now being cast on paper ballots.
Krebs addressed Donald Trump’s recent statements about election fraud and the push for one-day voting with paper ballots, proof of citizenship, and voter ID. He clarified that the vast majority of votes in the U.S. are already cast with a paper trail, and the current system allows for early voting and mail-in ballots for greater accessibility. Krebs warned that a one-day voting system could hinder participation in the democratic process and create logistical challenges that may prevent people from voting.
Regarding election security, Krebs highlighted the preparedness of the election infrastructure, stating that it has never been more secure. While intelligence reports indicate that countries like China are experimenting with technologies like generative AI to influence voters, Krebs underscored the distinction between interference and tinkering with ballots. He expressed confidence in the ability to detect and investigate any AI-powered threats quickly, but emphasized the cumulative impact of ongoing influence efforts on public confidence in the information ecosystem.
Krebs acknowledged the use of deep fakes and AI-generated content as potential risk factors in election interference, citing examples from Europe and other countries. He noted that tech platforms and AI companies need to be vigilant in detecting and preventing the manipulation of content. Krebs mentioned reports of Chinese and Iranian governments exploring fake AI content in 2020, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and prevention of such threats leading up to the 2024 election.
In conclusion, Krebs emphasized the importance of ongoing vigilance and communication about the evolving threats of election interference. He expressed concerns about the potential loss of public confidence in the information ecosystem due to persistent influence efforts. Krebs stressed the need for collaboration between tech platforms, AI companies, and cybersecurity experts to address these challenges effectively and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. He acknowledged that the issue of election security and influence efforts would likely remain a significant topic of discussion in the months leading up to the 2024 election.
