Lawmakers warn doctored videos pose national security threat

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers and experts are warning that videos altered with artificial intelligence software pose a threat to national security and the 2020 U.S. election.

The technology uses facial mapping and artificial intelligence to produce videos — known as “deep fakes” — that appear genuine.

The House Intelligence Committee chairman says it allows “malicious actors to foment chaos, division or crisis.” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California says such videos “have the capacity to disrupt entire campaigns, including that for the presidency.”

Experts say tech companies should take action to counter false videos, and that the U.S. could use sanctions and cyberattacks against producers of such content.

U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia waged a political disinformation campaign on social media to influence the 2016 election.