The Impact of Generative AI on Democracy

Generative AI is shaping democratic processes globally, particularly in the context of elections in over 70 countries in 2024. Experts from Microsoft Research are focusing on how these technologies can both support democratic engagement and pose significant risks, such as misinformation. They emphasize that while AI tools have the potential to enhance civic engagement and information dissemination, they can also be weaponized to create deceptive narratives that could undermine electoral integrity. In regions like Taiwan, which experiences a high level of external misinformation, proactive measures have been taken to counteract these threats by preparing campaigns and election officials for potential AI-generated fraud.