AI’s Role in Elections: A Limited Yet Concerning Influence

The role of AI in society is becoming a more prevalent component in shaping election campaigns - a discussion that is only increasing in relevance as nearly 100 countries, including the United States, Senegal, and Taiwan, head to the polls in 2024. While a study by the Initiative for Media Innovation (IMI) at EPFL indicated that AI’s influence on election outcomes is limited, the technology has become a topic of concern in relation to disinformation, trust, and public confidence in democratic processes.

Disinformation as a Weapon

AI can distort reality through malicious use, with tools like deepfakes and chatbots spreading manipulated content. This undermines the credibility of news across various platforms. The IMI study highlights how AI has influenced global elections in 2024, with researchers analyzing campaigns and their effects.

Marginal Impact but Increased Division

The study found that AI-driven programs did not significantly change election results. However, the spread of fake content heightened political divisions and mistrust. For instance, deepfakes of political figures were used in campaigns in the US and Switzerland, while in India and Indonesia, generative AI created avatars of deceased politicians to sway voter opinions.

Amplifying Existing Threats

AI has intensified the already prevalent issue of digitally manipulated content in propaganda. The rapid spread of fake videos and images during campaigns has severely shaken public trust, especially in the absence of regulations to control such content.

Recommendations for Mitigation

IMI’s “Décryptage” magazine suggests several strategies to combat AI-driven disinformation:

• Develop detection systems for fake content.

• Establish international regulations on AI use in digital media.

• Promote collaborative fact-checking efforts.

• Educate citizens about disinformation risks and verification tools.

Restoring Trust in Democracy

Addressing disinformation will require collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society, and tech experts. As Prof. Touradj Ebrahimi emphasizes, technology alone isn't enough; educating users about the risks of fake news is crucial.

As AI becomes more integrated into our digital landscape, a collective effort to establish ethical practices is essential. By tackling these challenges directly, society can work towards rebuilding trust in democratic processes and ensure technology serves transparency rather than manipulation.