The TED AI Show cover image

The TED AI Show

Humanity’s first AI election w/ WIRED's Vittoria Elliott

Sep 17, 2024
Vittoria Elliott, a journalist leading WIRED's AI Elections Projects, dives deep into the fascinating intersection of AI and global politics. She reveals how AI is transforming electoral landscapes, raising both opportunities and threats like deepfakes and misinformation. They explore innovative voting practices and the ethical concerns surrounding AI's role in shaping public perception. The discussion offers insights on what the U.S. can learn from international examples to adapt to this new political norm.
38:32

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The integration of AI in elections is reshaping political communication, exemplified by the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content affecting voter perception.
  • Global experiences, especially from countries like India and Pakistan, highlight the dual-edged impact of AI on democratic processes that the U.S. can learn from.

Deep dives

The First AI Election

This election cycle marks a significant moment as it is the first time that artificial intelligence is heavily influencing both national and local elections. Social media platforms, particularly X, have introduced AI features that can generate strikingly realistic images, leading to a boom in political memes that range from humorous to offensive. This development has raised concerns about how AI-generated content may shape public perception of candidates and their actions. Other countries have adapted to AI's influence in elections ahead of the U.S., showcasing how technology has already begun impacting democratic processes worldwide.

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