As the world’s largest democracy prepares for its upcoming general elections, there is growing concern over the use of AI-generated media to manipulate and deceive voters in India. Recent state elections in the country have seen the widespread dissemination of deepfakes and manipulated content, raising alarms about the threat to democracy.
Political parties in India, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party, are increasingly deploying deepfakes to influence voters. These AI-generated media, which can include audio and video manipulation, are becoming more accessible and affordable, with some tools available for as little as 10 cents per video.
The BJP, known for its technological prowess, has a history of utilizing illusions for campaigning. In 2014, hologram projections of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were used to create the illusion of simultaneous campaigning in multiple locations. However, the use of deepfakes has taken these tactics to a new level of deception.
In a notable incident, a BJP member of parliament became one of the world’s first politicians to use deepfakes for campaigning. Videos featuring the politician addressing voters in different languages were created using AI to generate his voice, alter his expressions, and manipulate his lip movements. The deepfakes were so convincing that it was nearly impossible to detect their fakeness upon viewing.
Other political parties have also embraced AI for their campaign strategies. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) used AI to resurrect iconic leader M Karunanidhi from the dead, presenting lifelike videos of the late politician at campaign events.
Experts believe that the use of deepfakes and AI manipulation will only increase in future elections, allowing political parties to shape narratives and create perceptions at an unprecedented scale. While some AI startups, like The Indian Deepfaker, are using the technology legally and ethically, there are concerns about the proliferation of unethical requests from political campaigns.
During recent state legislature elections, cases were registered for deepfake videos targeting senior politicians. Private consulting firms are often outsourced to produce this content, which is then disseminated through social media platforms like WhatsApp. The use of ordinary citizens’ numbers on WhatsApp adds another layer of anonymity to these campaigns, making it difficult to trace them back to the parties, candidates, or AI firms involved.
As India gears up for its 2024 elections, the potential impact of AI-generated media manipulation on the political landscape is becoming increasingly evident. It is imperative for authorities to address this issue and put measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – AI-generated Media Manipulation in Indian Elections
Q: What is the concern surrounding the upcoming general elections in India?
A: There is growing concern over the use of AI-generated media to manipulate and deceive voters in the country.
Q: Which political parties in India are using deepfakes and manipulated content?
A: Political parties in India, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party, are increasingly deploying deepfakes to influence voters.
Q: What are deepfakes?
A: Deepfakes refer to AI-generated media that can include audio and video manipulation, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake content.
Q: How accessible and affordable are the tools for generating deepfakes?
A: Some tools for generating deepfakes are available for as little as 10 cents per video, making them more accessible and affordable.
Q: What examples of deepfake usage have been seen in Indian elections?
A: A member of parliament from the BJP used deepfakes for campaigning. Videos featuring the politician were created using AI to generate his voice, alter his expressions, and manipulate his lip movements.
Q: How are other political parties using AI in their campaign strategies?
A: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) used AI to create lifelike videos of their late iconic leader, M Karunanidhi, for campaign events.
Q: What concerns are there regarding the use of AI-generated media in Indian elections?
A: Experts believe that the use of deepfakes and AI manipulation will increase, allowing political parties to shape narratives and create perceptions on a large scale. There are concerns about the proliferation of unethical requests and the difficulty in tracing the originators of deepfake content.
Q: How is deepfake content disseminated?
A: Private consulting firms are often outsourced to produce deepfake content, which is then disseminated through social media platforms like WhatsApp. The use of ordinary citizens’ numbers on WhatsApp adds another layer of anonymity to these campaigns.
Q: What should be done to address the issue of AI-generated media manipulation in Indian elections?
A: It is imperative for authorities to address this issue and put measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
Definitions:
– Deepfakes: AI-generated media that manipulates audio and video to create content that is difficult to distinguish from real footage.
– BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party, a political party in India.
– AI: Artificial Intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence by machines.
– DMK: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a political party in India.
Suggested Related Links:
– NDTV
– Times of India
– India Today
The source of the article is from the blog elperiodicodearanjuez.es