This article is part of a series titled “Machines and Votes: How artificial intelligence is reshaping elections globally.”
The prevalence of artificial intelligence, spanning from algorithmic videos to concerns surrounding its implications, has significantly increased in prominence since the public release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022.
Despite the widespread awareness of this evolving technology, many individuals lack a profound comprehension of its capabilities and potential consequences. This knowledge gap is particularly critical as more than 50 countries gear up for upcoming elections, amidst the looming threat of AI-fueled misinformation campaigns.
Whether in Jakarta, Madrid, or Chicago, a disparity exists between the general public’s perceived understanding of artificial intelligence and their ability to recognize specific AI-driven products and services.
Interestingly, individuals in developing economies often exhibit a higher level of familiarity with cutting-edge technologies compared to their counterparts in more advanced nations. This heightened awareness is attributed to their adeptness at swiftly adapting to innovations like smartphones. Moreover, they are more inclined to view AI’s advantages rather than its pitfalls, as indicated by Ipsos polling data.
On a global scale, there is a mounting apprehension regarding the proliferation of propaganda, particularly in the realm of disseminating fabricated content through AI-generated means.
Citizens in emerging markets demonstrate a stronger confidence in their capacity to differentiate between authentic and false information when compared to residents in wealthier nations such as the United States and certain parts of the European Union. This insight stems from a collaborative survey by Ipsos and UNESCO focusing on the repercussions of disinformation and hate speech.
Against the backdrop of electoral processes worldwide, over 60% of participants from various surveyed nations expressed apprehension that artificial intelligence could be leveraged to produce deceptive news content, including synthetic visuals and manipulated audiovisual materials, as per Ipsos’ spring 2023 survey findings.
Moreover, there is skepticism surrounding the potential exploitation of AI technologies by media outlets and political entities to target voters through customized social media advertisements, given their influential role in shaping public sentiment during election cycles.
Looking towards the future, there is an overarching sense of hope regarding the prospects of AI, juxtaposed with reservations concerning its susceptibility to propagandistic applications.
In the United States, where profound political rifts persist, there is a pervasive skepticism towards online information, particularly in the lead-up to the forthcoming November presidential election. Americans harbor concerns about AI-driven chatbots and similar tools, placing the onus on technology firms to mitigate the dissemination of AI-generated misinformation.
Despite the escalating interest in AI and the analysis of global polling data by POLITICO, the precise impact of AI-generated disinformation on the impending 2024 elections remains uncertain.
