Artifical Intelligence (AI) in Elections

The transformation of election campaigns through the integration of emerging technologies, culminating in what may be dubbed India's "first AI election" in 2024, marks a significant evolution in electoral strategies. This progression has been evident from the usage of phone calls in the 1990s to the anticipated widespread application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tailor political messages across various linguistic demographics. Below are key insights and challenges emerging from this evolution:

Evolution of Election Campaigns

• 1990s to 2014: Transition from phone call campaigns to the utilization of social media platforms, notably marking the 2014 elections as India’s "social media elections."

• 2019: Recognition of the general election as the "first WhatsApp election," highlighting the role of WhatsApp in disseminating targeted political messages.

AI's Emergence in Political Campaigns

• Translation of Speeches: BJP's initiative to use AI for translating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches into eight languages to broaden electoral appeal.

• Global Context: The 2024 elections around the world witnessing AI's application, from robocalls mimicking political leaders to the creation and dissemination of deepfakes.

Challenges and Concerns

• Misinformation and Disinformation: AI's potential to rapidly spread misleading information, as evidenced by incidents in Slovakia and the use of deepfakes in Indian state elections.

• Regulatory and Ethical Concerns: Efforts by the United States to ban AI-generated robocalls and pledges by tech giants to combat deceptive AI content, raising questions about the effectiveness and enforceability of such measures.

• Impact on Democratic Processes: Concerns that AI-generated content could deter voter participation or unfairly influence election outcomes, pointing to a need for resilience and preparedness against AI's deceptive capabilities.

The Dual Role of AI

• Campaign Strategies: Beyond disinformation, AI's application spans voter identification, content development, and micro-targeting strategies, offering data-driven insights for campaign optimization.

• Future Outlook: While AI's efficiency is expected to grow, so too is the global community's ability to counteract its potentially deceptive effects, suggesting a future where both the challenges and solutions related to AI in elections evolve.

Conclusion

As India approaches what may be its first AI-driven election, the integration of AI into election strategies represents both a significant advancement in political campaigning and a complex challenge in ensuring the integrity of democratic processes. The potential of AI to transform election campaigns is undeniable, yet it also necessitates a robust discussion on the ethical, regulatory, and societal implications of its use in political contexts.

Reason it's important : AI in elections, the good, the bad and the ugly

Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 02 April 2024

Link to the article (might require a paid subscription) : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-04-02/th_international/articleGM8CK79MJ-6327511.ece