Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various areas of society, and politics is no exception. The possibility of AI avatars running in elections is already a reality in England, raising a number of questions about the future of democracy. This article explores the advantages, risks, and how to prepare for this new era, in addition to examining measures other countries are taking and the challenges that may threaten democratic integrity.
The use of AI can bring several advantages to society during the electoral campaign process, including:
- Efficiency in Analyzing Electoral Data:
AI can quickly and accurately analyze vast amounts of electoral data, allowing candidates to identify trends and voter concerns more efficiently. This can result in more targeted and relevant campaigns that directly address the needs and desires of the citizens.
- Precise Voter Segmentation:
With AI, it is possible to segment the electorate with great precision, enabling campaigns to be personalized for different groups of voters. This can increase engagement and the effectiveness of campaign messages, ensuring that each group receives information and proposals aligned with their priorities.
- Automatic Interaction and Engagement with Voters:
AI bots can be used to interact with voters in real-time, answering questions and providing information about the candidate’s policies and positions. This enhances engagement and facilitates direct communication with voters without constant human intervention.
- Optimization of Campaign Resources:
AI can help optimize the allocation of campaign resources by identifying the areas and voters that need more attention and investment. This can lead to more efficient and cost-effective campaigns, maximizing the impact of campaign actions.
- Sentiment Monitoring and Analysis:
AI tools can monitor social media and other online platforms to analyze voter sentiment regarding the candidates and their proposals. This allows for quick adjustments in campaign strategy to respond to criticisms, capitalize on strengths, and improve the candidate’s public image.
- Prediction of Electoral Outcomes:
Through advanced predictive algorithms, AI can provide accurate estimates of electoral outcomes, allowing campaigns to adjust their strategies in real-time to improve their chances of success.
While AI offers several advantages in the electoral campaign process, there are also many risks associated with its use. Here are some of the key risks:
- Manipulation and Disinformation:
AI can be used to create highly personalized and manipulative content, making it difficult to distinguish between facts and disinformation. Deepfakes, where videos and audios are falsified to make it appear that a person said or did something that never happened, along with the manipulation of texts, documents, graphics, and statistics, can also be altered to deceive voters.
- Lack of Transparency:
AI algorithms can be complex and opaque, making it difficult to understand how decisions are made. This can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, complicating the verification of campaign integrity. For example, segmentation algorithms can direct specific messages to different groups of voters, creating conflicting narratives without the general public being aware.
- Inequality in Access to Technology:
The use of AI in campaigns can favor candidates with greater technological resources, increasing inequality and creating an imbalance in the electoral process. Candidates with access to advanced AI tools may have an unfair advantage, using big data for voter micro-segmentation and influencing votes in ways that less-equipped candidates cannot.
To prepare for the potential integration of AI in elections, several measures need to be considered:
- Clear Regulation:
Establish clear laws and guidelines regarding the use of AI in electoral campaigns, ensuring transparency and ethical use of this technology.
- Education and Awareness:
Promote voter education on the potential uses and risks of AI in politics, empowering them to recognize manipulation and disinformation.
- Oversight and Monitoring:
Create specific oversight bodies to monitor the use of AI in elections, ensuring that campaigns are conducted in a fair and ethical manner.
The responsibility for creating and implementing regulations, education, and oversight actions should be shared among the government, technology companies, advertising agencies, media, society, and voters.
The government should lead the creation of public policies that regulate the use of AI in elections, ensuring a safe and fair environment for all candidates and voters.
Technology companies should collaborate with the government to ensure that their platforms are not used to disseminate misinformation. They should also provide tools for transparency and traceability of election campaigns.
Advertising agencies need to adopt ethical and transparent practices, using AI responsibly. Civil society organizations can act as watchdogs, monitoring the use of AI in campaigns and reporting unethical practices. Social pressure can be a significant factor in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
But for all of this to happen, voters must fulfill their role as citizens by being critical and informed, seeking reliable sources of information, and questioning suspicious content. Digital literacy is essential for them to identify and resist manipulation.
Countries around the world are adopting various strategies to protect their democracies. The European Union is developing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to include specific provisions regarding AI, ensuring that citizens’ data is protected and that there is transparency in the use of algorithms.
In the U.S., there is an increasing debate about the need to regulate AI, with proposed laws requiring transparency in algorithms and the creation of a federal committee to oversee the use of AI in elections.
Japan is investing in explainable AI technologies, which allow AI decision-making processes to be understandable to humans, thereby increasing transparency and public trust.
Could the Future of Democracy Be at Risk?
The future of democracy with the integration of AI is complex and fraught with challenges. If not managed properly, AI could undermine public trust in democratic institutions, exacerbate inequalities, and enable voter manipulation. It is crucial for governments, civil society, and technology experts to collaborate in creating a robust framework that promotes the ethical and transparent use of AI in politics.
In England, there is already a practical example of this reality. Steve Endacott, an entrepreneur, launched a parliamentary campaign using an AI avatar called “AI Steve.” This AI is capable of interacting directly with voters, listening to their concerns, and incorporating their opinions into the candidate’s policies. The British experience demonstrates both the potential and the challenges of integrating AI into politics.
Democracy is constantly evolving, and the integration of AI can be both an opportunity and a threat. It is up to us to ensure that this technology is used to strengthen, rather than weaken, the democratic principles that underpin our societies. Furthermore, it is essential for individuals to develop their digital intelligence skills, learning to navigate and critically assess the vast sea of information and misinformation that the AI era brings. Only with a well-informed and critical population will we be able to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of this new technological age.
Find more information on the matter here:
https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/06/13/meet-ai-steve-the-uks-avatar-election-candidate
