Going on the Offensive Defense: Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on AI, Security, and Public Trust

Despite a toxic information environment, election officials are stepping up to meet the moment and make elections more safe and secure in 2024. One of the leaders is Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a member of Issue One’s Faces of Democracy campaign, who just won a Clearinghouse Award for Outstanding Innovation in Election Cybersecurity and Technology. 

In this episode, Secretary Fontes talks about how election officials are preparing for the challenges posed by the spread of false information, generative artificial intelligence technologies, the need for reliable federal funding for elections, and why ordinary Americans should step up and serve as poll workers this election year. 

Be sure to listen through to the end of our conversation to learn about a not-so-secret talent Secretary Fontes has, why “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is his favorite movie, and which historical figure he would most like to meet. 

Links in this episode: 

• Arizona Department of Elections
• Clearinghouse Award for Outstanding Innovation in Election Cybersecurity and Technology
• Brennan Center: How Election Officials Can Identify, Prepare for, and Respond to AI Threats
• Issue One: The High Cost of High Turnover