Google Implements Enhanced Safeguards for Its AI Products in Preparation for the US Presidential Election

Google is preparing for the upcoming U.S. presidential election by implementing new safeguards across its generative AI products. While the company had previously announced restrictions on Gemini queries related to the election, it is now extending these measures to other AI platforms.

These safeguards will be integrated into Search AI Overviews, YouTube AI-generated summaries for Live Chat, Gems, and image generation within Gemini. As part of these measures, these AI tools will refrain from responding to election-related topics.

Recognizing that generative AI is still an emerging technology, Google understands that it can make errors, prompting these limitations to combat misinformation ahead of the election. “For federal and state-wide elections, our users rely on us for dependable and updated information about candidates, voting procedures, and election outcomes — and this new technology can make mistakes as it evolves or as news develops,” stated Laurie Richardson, Google’s Vice President of Trust and Safety, in a recent blog post.

Misinformation was a critical concern during the 2020 presidential election, and with the rise of generative AI, the risk of misinformation in the 2024 election is becoming even more prominent. With the recent policy changes, Google aims to proactively address this challenge.

Additionally, Google Search will introduce a feature to assist individuals nationwide in finding information on how to register to vote as in previous elections. Users will also notice new features on YouTube designed to help them locate credible information about election candidates and their respective political parties. As the election date approaches, the video platform will provide reminders on where and how to cast their votes.

To further support users seeking trustworthy election information, Google Play has introduced a new badge that will appear on apps from official government agencies, enhancing users' ability to access reliable resources.