It is well known that technology has a role in influencing voters in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
To add an extra layer of complication to the upcoming US election, artificial intelligence will likely play a heavier role.
While AI has been used in many ways in society, there are growing concerns about the use of generative AI during this election season, which may manipulate voters and affect elections.
What is generative AI?
Generative AI is artificial intelligence capable of generating photos, written information and other data based on models that learn and process raw data and through user prompts.
How could generative AI be misused in this year’s election?
For every candidate who uses AI as a cost-saving measure, there are those who could use it for more malicious purposes.
While AI can be used to distinguish and exclude ineligible voters from registrants and signature matching, it may end up restricting voters by knowingly or unknowingly removing those who are actually eligible.
Generative AI can create images and build on existing data. SOPA/LightRocket image via Getty Images
Chatbots and algorithms can be used to deliver false information to voters, which can sway them towards a particular candidate.
In the worst-case scenario, AI could amplify hot-button issues and potentially trigger violence.
How tech and AI companies are failing to protect election integrity
Tech companies are not investing in election integrity initiatives. AI companies do not have the connections and funding to manage any risks involved in how their tools are used for elections. This means less and less human oversight of what AI generates as well as how AI generated information is used.
AI companies don’t necessarily have any systems in place for how their AI is used in elections. Reuters
The nature of the American Constitution may be in direct conflict with AI during this election season because free speech is part of the fabric of the American ideal, but preventing and stopping misinformation is essential to ensuring a fair election.
Not only is a classic candidate scam possible, but other countries, such as China, Iran and Russia, have recently been caught trying to use content created with AI to manipulate US voters.
Ways to avoid misuse of AI
Social media has undoubtedly changed the way election campaigns are conducted. Various platforms have their own processes for dealing with election information and misinformation.
YouTube has changed its policy and stated: “We will stop removing content that makes false claims that widespread fraud, error or interference occurred in the 2020 and other past US Presidential elections.”
YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, requires election advertisers to clearly disclose when their ads include realistic synthetic content that has been altered or digitally generated, including by AI tools.
In the coming months, YouTube will also require creators to disclose when they’ve created realistically altered or synthetic content and will display a label showing people that the content they’re watching is synthetic.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, will put labels on images and ads created with AI, to help people know what’s real and what’s not, and to stop false or harmful information from spreading, especially during elections.
Several states have passed laws regulating the use of political counterfeiting, including California, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Washington.
Kurt’s essential food
While there will always be the potential for AI to be misused in any aspect of society, it seems most worrying if it will impact our democracy.
With the awareness of potential abuse by experts and voters, it is possible that it will encourage more critical thinking by voters who will look at candidates, issues and election information with a more critical eye.
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That can make people more likely to do their own research rather than just absorb what they are “fed” online or offline.
And since America’s electoral system is decentralized, AI will be harder to abuse because votes are managed at the local level. At the end of the day, your vote will still matter.
As AI becomes part of the electoral process, voters need to think critically about the information they receive. Seventyfour – stock.adobe.com
What are your biggest concerns about the use of AI during this year’s elections? Do you think you will see or feel the effects? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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