ChatGPT now turns some election images into cartoons

OpenAI has changed how ChatGPT handles certain election images. If someone asks for a realistic picture of election interference, or of a scene that could discourage people from voting, ChatGPT now returns a cartoon-style illustration instead. The US midterm elections take place on November 3.

What changed

OpenAI calls the results "stylised – also known as cartoonified – illustrations, rather than photorealistic images." The idea is simple. A made-up scene that looks like a news photo can be mistaken for proof that something happened. A cartoon is much harder to mistake for proof.

The change applies even when a user asks for a photo style. CNET tested it by asking ChatGPT for an image of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside a polling location. The result was a cartoon. Asking for a photorealistic version still produced an illustration.

In another CNET test, the reporters could not get a photojournalist-style image of a voting machine recording the wrong choice.

Why OpenAI says it did this

Josh Lawson, OpenAI's head of elections, told CNET: "The problem with deepfakes isn't social commentary; it's deception. So our aim is to degrade the evidentiary value of an image, while preserving room for illustrations and social commentary." He added that the goal is to add another layer of friction for bad actors.

Political illustrations and commentary are still allowed. OpenAI says its rules against election interference and discouraging voting still apply, including when the image is a cartoon.

Other election steps

• ChatGPT links to Democracy Works in the US, in several languages, for registration rules, deadlines and polling places.
• Answers include links to official sources so users can check them.
• After polls close in the US and Brazil, ChatGPT shows live vote counts through the Associated Press.
• Eligible voting-system makers and state election authorities get free model access for cybersecurity work.

OpenAI said election officials are the authority on voting rules and certified results. It still bans political advertising and large-scale campaign messaging, including images and videos.

What to do

A cartoon look is a useful clue, but it only covers images made in ChatGPT. Other tools may not have the same limit. If a shocking photo of a polling place or voting machine shows up in your feed, check it against official election sources before sharing it.