Microsoft Research Podcast Ideas: AI and democracy with Madeleine Daepp and Robert Osazuwa Ness
Dec 19, 2024
Madeleine Daepp, a Microsoft senior researcher specializing in generative AI's political impact, and Robert Osazuwa Ness, who focuses on the reliability of large language models, delve into AI's role in democracy. They discuss the challenges of disinformation, especially during elections, and emphasize the innovations in Taiwan and India’s voting systems. The conversation also highlights the dual-edged nature of AI—its potential benefits and risks—alongside the necessity for media literacy and innovative solutions to combat misinformation.
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Inspiration for Research
- Madeleine Daepp was inspired to study AI's impact on democracy after attending a Microsoft election workshop.
- She realized the potential negative implications of AI during a pivotal election year.
Deepfakes and Deception
- Deepfakes in the political context aim to deceive by creating false records of events.
- This deceptive intent distinguishes them from broader generative AI.
AI Taxonomy
- Researchers observed various uses of AI, including "off-fakes" (authorized fakes), "soft fakes" (promotional likenesses), and "deep roasts" (satirical depictions).
- They also found AI used to generate B-roll footage and create fake news websites.