Humanity’s first AI election w/ WIRED's Vittoria Elliott
Sep 17, 2024
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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.
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.
Global Lessons from AI-Influenced Elections
Countries like India and Pakistan have seen AI technologies used in various innovative and sometimes alarming ways during elections. Generative AI has been employed for deepfakes, voice cloning, and even as actual political candidates in some instances, highlighting both the positive and negative applications of technology in the democratic process. The Wired AI elections project has been instrumental in mapping these trends and analyzing their implications, revealing a wide range of examples from legitimate use cases to disinformation tactics. Collectively, these global experiences provide valuable insights that the U.S. can learn from as it navigates its own AI election.
Impact of Deepfakes and AI on Campaigns
Deepfakes are a prominent concern in current election campaigns, as they can be emotionally resonant despite being false. Instances have surfaced where AI-generated content, such as parody videos or avatar-based interactions, cultivates engagement but can also mislead voters. For example, local candidates have utilized AI-generated avatars to connect with constituents or showcase their backgrounds, raising questions about authenticity in political messaging. The ability to disseminate emotionally charged yet potentially false information further complicates campaign dynamics and voter trust.
Navigating Misinformation and Trust
The increase in AI-generated content has potential repercussions for trust in democratic institutions, especially during elections. The concept of the 'liar's dividend' suggests that in a world filled with possible fake content, any assertion of falsehood can undermine genuine claims, creating a lack of shared reality among voters. Concerns around the platforms' responses to disinformation amplify this issue, as inadequate trust and safety measures may fail to prevent the spread of misleading content. As the election approaches, addressing these underlying issues becomes crucial for protecting democracy and ensuring informed voting.
2024 is the biggest election year in modern history, with over 50 countries going out to the polls across the globe. And artificial intelligence has fully seeped into global politics – from deepfakes to AI bots that can ingest thousands and thousands of documents to make policy decisions. Bilawal talks with journalist Vittoria Elliot, who’s been leading on WIRED’s AI Elections Projects, to discuss how AI is reshaping the political landscape in surprising ways. The two explore the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre – and share what the U.S. can learn from other countries to adapt and critically engage with "the new normal."