The key swing state gathered dozens of election workers from across its counties for what’s believed to be a first-of-its-kind deepfake drill. For two days, they experienced scenarios involving AI-generated voice messages, attempted hacks, and fake social media posts. By the end of it, one worker reportedly said the takeaway was “trust no one.” The event resulted in a training document that organizers plan to share with poll workers across the country. Arizona is far from alone in its attempts to address the threat of deepfakes and AI ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
What do you mean?
One analysis found that 39 states have either passed or introduced legislation to protect elections from AI-generated or altered disinformation. That includes New Mexico, which made it illegal to intentionally use AI-generated content to sway voters. Others like Florida and Wisconsin require campaigns to disclose when AI is being used in ads. It comes as some election officials have already dealt with deepfakes this year, prompting the federal government to outlaw AI-generated robocalls. Still, it’s an uphill battle against the technology, considering it can take just seconds to generate fake images.
theSkimm
Election workers, who already face conspiracy theories and violent threats, are on the frontlines of protecting the integrity of elections. Now, the threat of AI is so pervasive that some experts are calling this year’s presidential race the “AI election.”
A weapons pause. Yesterday, President Biden issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Israel, threatening to withhold US weapons if there’s a ground invasion in Rafah. The president also acknowledged that American weapons have been used to kill civilians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Biden’s comments come after he paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, the leaders of three K-12 public school districts testified about how they’ve handled antisemitism in the classroom since the start of the war. The chancellor of New York City schools, the largest district in the country, said at least 30 students have been suspended since Oct. 7 and reportedly about a dozen staff members were disciplined. He clarified that he also stands up to Islamophobia and all other forms of hate, adding “you can’t put them in silos.”
What’s getting a dose of AI…
Biology. Yesterday, Google DeepMind unveiled the latest version of its artificial intelligence model designed to help scientists understand the human body and fight disease. AlphaFold 3 can help predict the shapes of proteins and the interactions of DNA and RNA. Scientists say the technology could help speed up the development of new drugs and vaccines. Still, the AI model’s accuracy varies and some have reportedly raised concerns as to whether such technology could be used to create bioweapons.
What found the money…
FTX. Nearly two years since the failed cryptocurrency exchange collapsed, investors are expected to receive all of the money they lost plus interest. FTX’s bankruptcy lawyers said the company recovered enough money (read: at least $14 billion) to pay most of its customers back in the coming months.
…Oh and speaking of ongoing cases, nine out of 10 wrongful death lawsuits stemming from the 2021 Astroworld festival have been settled.
It’s time for “Two Truths and a Lie,” healthcare edition. Two of the below statements about multiple sclerosis (MS) are true; one is not…
A. MS is 3x more common in women vs. men.
B. Once you’re diagnosed with MS, it’s very hard to live a normal life.
C. Nearly 1 million people in the US have MS.
So what’s the lie? It’s *dramatic pause* B. While there isn’t a cure for this chronic neurological disease (symptoms may include fatigue, hand tremors, and difficulty walking, among others), you can still find ways to do what you love with a personalized treatment plan and support from friends, family, and the MS community. Head here to read stories from real women living with MS.
This one’s for the moms
This Mother’s Day, theSkimm’s Parenting team chatted with Kate Hudson about motherhood.
“I’ve had one kid the last [three] decades. They’re all seven and a half years apart, so I’ve been in very different places in my life as I’ve raised each child. And you know what? They’re all very different kids,” she says.
Subscribe to learn more about how her parenting style evolved for each of her kids. Oh, and see if you agree with us on our rank of best to worst Mother’s Day outings, plus the parenting news and expert advice we’re known for.
PS: New subscribers are entered to win** some of our fave earrings – so you can celebrate yourself (or a mom you love) in style.
Skimm Picks
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
A nighttime moisturizer we won’t shut up about.
One reviewer called this dermatologist-tested cream “a little miracle in a tube.” Thanks to plant-based ingredients like rosehip oil and squalane, you’ll wake up with brighter, smoother, intensely hydrated skin. Skimm’rs get a free 60-day supply, BTW.*
This questionnaire has matched nearly 5 million people with a therapist who fits their lifestyle. Fill it out to get connected in as little as 48 hours. PS: Skimmr's get 25% off their first month.*
An easy way to get the TL;DR so you can work smarter.
Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant can be your TL;DR hero — quickly summarizing meeting transcripts into emails, identifying key takeaways in long docs, and highlighting the most interesting insights from those reports Bob from Marketing sends you (with citations).*
The best way to celebrate the season? A nice, sunny candle. We've been lighting up this one that transports us to Big Sur and this Target one that's under $10.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Spelltower
Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.
Women lack the time, resources, and support to focus on getting the care we need — and it’s impacting our health. Skimm Well can help. We make it easy for you to stay up-to-date with the latest wellness news, expert-backed tips, and resources so you can take charge of your health.
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
(Some) Birthdays…Cathy Heller (NY), theSkimm's Gillian Zingler (NY), Susan Ross (FL), Robert Marquette (LA), Michaela Gee (MA), Christine O'Hare (PA), Megan Rose (TX), Jackie Schneider (NY), Sarah Curry (UT), Ada Johnson (CA), Alexandra Mastorakis (CT), Erica Grant (FL), Kayla Morse (OH), Crystal Serrano (IN), Lisa Martin (CT)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Marina Carver, and Maria del Carmen Corpus
Photos by Scott Olson via Getty Images, Danny Fujikawa, Brand Partners
