AG James warns New Yorkers not to trust AI fakes or chatbots for voting info

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday released an updated guide warning voters that AI-generated election fakes are getting harder to spot — and that chatbots can send people to the wrong poll site or deadline ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

In a press release, James said AI tools now produce photos, videos and audio that can look like real officials giving false voting instructions, fake government notices, or robocalls and posts that imitate a real person’s voice. The Office of the Attorney General also said chatbots answering typed questions have given voters information for the wrong city or state, incorrect deadlines and false voting requirements.

What changed since 2024

James first published an AI misinformation guide in 2024 that told voters to watch for unnatural body movements or odd lighting and sound. The updated guide says those tells may no longer appear. Under New York law, political communications that use seemingly realistic AI-generated or otherwise deceptive images, video or audio must be clearly labeled as manipulated — but the OAG cautions that much circulating fake content carries no label, and tools that claim to detect AI are not always accurate.

“When New Yorkers head to the polls, they deserve to have accurate information to cast an informed vote,” James said in the release. “Before you believe or share anything you see about the election, check it with your board of elections or another trusted source.”

How to vote — and how to report fakes

The AG’s office says voters should get when, where and how-to-vote details from the New York State Board of Elections or their local board — not from chatbots. Early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The release also points to the state’s voter lookup tool for poll site, registration and ballot status.

Anyone who sees unlabeled content they suspect is manipulated, or false information about the time, place or manner of voting, is urged to file an OAG complaint (select “Other,” topic “Election Misinformation”) and to report fakes on the social platform where they appear. The Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992 and electionhotline.ag.ny.gov open Oct. 24. The AG reminded New Yorkers that misinformation also arrives on postcards, texts, emails and lawn signs — not only through AI.