In 2024, there will be numerous elections taking place around the world, sparking concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on democratic processes. While there have been instances of AI-generated content causing alarm, it is essential to note that these incidents were swiftly debunked and did not gain traction in reputable news sources that could have had a more significant impact.
Currently, generative AI is capable of producing convincing but short-lived fakes. Additionally, the dissemination of information, disinformation, and misinformation typically requires a compelling narrative to be truly threatening. For example, conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate and QAnon have successfully shaped public discourse without the aid of AI. Consequently, the effectiveness of AI-generated content in influencing elections will likely depend on skilled human operators with multidimensional knowledge.
Furthermore, the fragmented nature of the contemporary media ecosystem, particularly through social networks, presents limitations to the potential impact of generative AI on elections. As user communities disperse across various platforms, bad content reaches increasingly smaller corners of the internet. While this may complicate the detection and explanation of such phenomena, it also reduces their overall influence.
These factors – the ephemerality of most AI fakes, the necessity of linking them to broader narratives, and the fragmentation of information distribution – serve as initial safeguards against any potential harm caused by generative AI in elections.
However, it is crucial not to solely rely on these existing protections. Instead, proactive measures that prioritize democracy and elections as human activities for and by people must be implemented. Excessive personalization through AI, social media, or paid advertisements in election campaigns should be limited to prevent candidates from pandering to individual voters. Maintaining transparency in online identities is also crucial, except in cases where anonymity is necessary for voting purposes. Voters should have a clear understanding of who is behind the content they encounter, including AI-generated material.
Moreover, social media platforms must play an active role in combatting the potential misuse of generative AI. They should inform users about AI-generated content, monitor for large-scale manipulation, prevent coordinated AI harassment, and allow for independent research and auditing of their systems.
Ultimately, society must unite in opposing any attempts to undermine democracy, which often stem from within. It is vital to set a higher standard and denounce politicians and campaigns that mislead citizens through AI. While the excitement surrounding AI may persist, it is essential to prioritize democracy’s integrity above the advancement of AI.
The source of the article is from the blog yanoticias.es