Major IT firms have pledged to work together to prevent fake or misleading AI content from interfering with elections around the world this year.

Twenty companies signed an accord on Friday at the Munich Security Conference. They include Microsoft, Google, Chinese-owned TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Elections with potential global impacts are scheduled in many countries this year, including the US presidential election. The accord says the spread of misleading AI content could deceive the public in ways that "jeopardize the integrity of electoral processes."

It also says the "protection of electoral integrity and public trust is a shared responsibility and a common good that transcends partisan interests and national borders."

The signatories agree to cooperate in developing technology to identify deceptive AI-generated audio, video and images, along with other commitments.

Preventing the spread of fake information has become a major challenge. In January, New Hampshire residents received an automated phone appeal, or robocall, faking the voice of US President Joe Biden. The message urged people not to vote in the state's presidential primary.