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Artificial intelligence has already flexed its muscles in shaping and disrupting electoral processes; the stakes are higher as the technology spreads and becomes more sophisticated. If you follow the news on how AI is being used to influence the outcome of elections, you will realize that disinformation tactics have taken on a new life. Let’s talk about what this means for U.S. elections and how these tactics have evolved since previous elections.
How AI Influenced Past Elections
The 2016 U.S. presidential election is an ideal example of the past influence of AI tools in orchestrating disinformation campaigns. The deployment of AI-backed bots and other automated systems by Russia to transmit divisive messages across social media platforms was meant to sow discord among voters. These efforts leveraged the political, racial, and religious identities of the voters with the intent to cause division. Fast track to more recent elections; the disinformation machine is only getting more efficient. Deepfakes were deployed-AR-generated fake videos and audio clips-but the early iterations weren’t all that convincing.
By the time the election rolled around in 2020, AI-generated content had reached levels of sophistication previously unimaginable. Among those were false narratives about rigged voting machines and tampered-with mail-in ballots, going viral with the help of language models and other AI tools together churning out thousands of misleading posts across platforms. These were particularly powerful because they echoed a smattering of long-running conspiracy theories, lending them at least an air of truth. Even chatbots tailored for targeted disinformation efforts parroted real voter interactions.
How AI is Impacting Current Elections
As the 2024 U.S. elections come closer, AI’s role in the dissemination of disinformation has not only evolved-it’s become more insidious. Deepfakes today appear as real as ever, and some are so convincing that voters can’t tell they’re fakes. Visualize with me a video of a candidate admitting to behaviors that would force their resignation-you later find out that it was utterly fabricated with the use of AI. This type of disinformation has already been seen in other elections around the globe.
But far more danger lurks in the spread of the “liar’s dividend,” the tactic of discrediting actual footage by claiming it is a deepfake. Visualize a veritable video of a candidate being hawked as AI-generated where voters cannot differentiate between fact and fiction. The result has bred cynicism, in which too many people believe nothing at all from any source whatsoever.
Safeguarding Against AI Disinformation
One may wonder what he or she could do to protect his or her interests from falling into the trap of AI-driven disinformation. First, be skeptical about sensational content-a video, audio, or even a post that may trigger some controversy. Always verify the source, particularly for political news or even voting information. Secondly, while social media platforms are just starting to label AI-generated content, it is still one’s duty to remain alert.
Government Resources for Election Integrity
Being prepared and safeguarding yourself from AI-driven disinformation involves the use of verified sources of information when it comes to the elections. One of the most reliable websites to approach would be USA.gov, which is the official portal of the US government.. They provide verified resources on how to register, find your polling location, and report suspicious activities related to the elections. Relying on government-endorsed sources will ensure the information you’re using is proper and reliable, rather than noise created from AI-generated misinformation.
While AI presents undeniable risks, keeping yourself apprised and informed about the tactics at play will go a long way in trying to navigate this increasingly complex information landscape. Indeed, many experts believe media literacy will lie at the very core of making sure these disinformation campaigns will not find resonance in future elections.