Former global chair of news at Twitter Vivian Schiller, chief executive of Demos Polly Curtis, and executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy professor Gina Neff discuss the impact of AI in elections, including the threat of doctored images, misinformation campaigns, deep fakes, and erosion of trust. They emphasize the importance of fact-checking emotionally provocative content and implementing imprints on social media for politicians in the UK.
The podcast highlights the risks of AI in elections, including deep fakes and manipulated content, emphasizing the need for accountability and guidelines for their usage.
The episode discusses the 'Liars' Dividend' created by AI-generated misinformation, stressing the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills to combat the erosion of trust in online information sources.
Deep dives
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Elections
The podcast episode explores the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on elections around the world. It discusses the potential risks and challenges associated with generative AI, including deep fakes and fake audio recordings that could manipulate public opinion. The episode also highlights the power of personalized messaging and data analytics in political campaigns, emphasizing the need for accountability and guidelines for their usage. The guests in the episode discuss the importance of addressing the implications of AI and its impact on democracy, both at a national and global level. They suggest the need for cross-party agreements and leadership, as well as potential legislation and technological solutions to safeguard elections.
The Liars' Dividend and the Erosion of Trust
The episode delves into the concept of the 'Liars' Dividend' and its impact on public trust. It explains how AI-generated misinformation and manipulated content can contribute to a general erosion of trust, particularly in online information sources. The guests highlight the challenge of distinguishing between what is real and what is fake in an age of AI, and how this can affect people's interpretations and beliefs. They stress the need for media literacy and critical thinking skills to combat the Liars' Dividend, ensuring that people can navigate the information landscape with agency and discernment.
The Role of Legislations, Companies, and Individuals
The podcast explores the different approaches and measures taken by various stakeholders to address the impact of AI on elections. It discusses the need for legislation and guidelines to regulate AI usage in campaigns, particularly in areas such as deep fakes and targeted messaging. The episode also examines the role of technology companies in developing tools to detect and combat AI-generated misinformation. Additionally, it emphasizes the responsibility of individuals in critically evaluating the information they consume and supporting trusted sources. The guests highlight the importance of collective action and political leadership to establish norms and guardrails in the evolving AI landscape.
The Future of AI in Elections
In the final part of the episode, the guests speculate on the future implications of AI in elections. They discuss the potential for AI-powered bots and personalized campaigns that could deepen the divisions among voters. The episode also presents the possibility of AI-generated candidates and the challenges surrounding public perception and authenticity. Furthermore, the guests consider the role of AI in enhancing communication and inclusivity, such as reaching voters in different languages. Despite the risks, they acknowledge the potential for AI to bring positive changes if used responsibly and transparently.
Today, we look at how AI could play a role in this year’s elections around the world.
Is AI threatening democracy? Is it influencing how people vote? To discuss Adam is joined by former global chair of news at Twitter (X) Vivian Schiller, chief executive of Demos Polly Curtis and executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge professor Gina Neff.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Maia Davies and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was . The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.
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