CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of the most-watched elections in North Carolina is race for state Attorney General. It's an open race since the current attorney general, Josh Stein, is the Democratic nominee for governor.
One issue that will face the next top law enforcement officer in North Carolina is the use artificial technology by criminal groups or those hoping to influence elections. AI generated videos, pictures, voices and now scams are reaching new heights.
While AI has many positive impacts, it also can mislead, and the misuse of technology is not limited to the election cycle.
The Dilworth Center in Charlotte is no stranger to those scams. According to CEO and President Charles O’Dell, scammers have been posing online as the treatment center.
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If someone is looking for treatment, and they go online to find those services, they may not even make it to the right website because of links and ads created by scammers, O'Dell said.
He said the ads are hard to miss when searching for the center, and easy to mistake as legitimate. Before you know it, you’re on the phone with someone claiming to work for the center who’s requesting credit card information, but has no intention of helping.
Thankfully, people like Adam Hunter, who sought treatment at Dilworth, managed to avoid becoming victims of the scams.
“I think about it every day, how treatment has positively influenced my life. I used to be full of anxiety, and after going through treatment and taking the tools that I’ve learned from here and applying them to my life, I live a much less anxiety induced life,” Hunter said.
But not everyone had the same experience as Hunter.
“I’m disgusted that people would prey on those in need. Secondly, I think that hopefully Google will improve their practices in allowing trademark predatory trademark practices and protect places like the Dilworth center from being duplicated or copied,” Hunter said.
If elected Attorney General, Rep. Jeff Jackson said targeting scammers and staying on top of growing artificial intelligence use is a top priority.
In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Jackson's campaign said, “As Attorney General, he would be a shield for North Carolinians. His top priorities are tackling the fentanyl epidemic and going after scammers who target seniors and veterans.”
Hunter agrees that whoever holds the seat of AG must take on those responsibilities.
“It’s important. A significant responsibility of the government is protecting people from those scams,” Hunter said.
Whether it’s in their daily lives or in politics, this is a concern for many people.
According to Pew Research Center 57% of U.S. adults, both Republicans and Democrats, said they are “extremely or very concerned” that people or organizations seeking to influence the election will use AI to create and distribute fake or misleading information about the candidates and campaigns.
Jackson is known for his social media presence and sees first hand how images and ideas can be presented.
Hunter said he’s looking for an Attorney General who cares about reputable information getting to everyone, including people like him.
“There is an addiction crisis in America and the people need help, not harm. To ensure that there are reputable practices in place, such as administrate of boards or licensing institutions, as well as ensuring that people with health insurance are able to use their health insurance to access this care,” he said.