The podcast explores the risks of AI in elections and the potential for AI-powered disinformation. It delves into the dangers of deep fakes and the threat they pose to democracy. The challenges of election security efforts and the risks of manipulation are also discussed. The podcast emphasizes the need for AI governance to address disinformation campaigns and deep fakes. It concludes by highlighting the importance of informed leaders and the need for diversity in decision-making about AI governance.
The widespread availability of AI tools amplifies the potential for confusion, distrust, and manipulation in global elections in 2024, impacting critical global issues such as climate change and AI regulation.
The intersection of AI and global elections highlights the importance of AI governance, as the leaders elected in these upcoming elections will influence future decisions on AI regulation and development, shaping the direction of climate change, democratic integrity, and election security.
Deep dives
AI's Impact on Elections
AI, with its potential to manipulate and generate disinformation, poses serious risks to global elections in 2024. With more than 70 countries having elections next year, the widespread availability of AI tools amplifies the potential for confusion, distrust, and manipulation. This is particularly concerning as these elections will decide the leaders who will shape critical global issues such as climate change, democracy, conflict, and AI regulation. The lack of laws, norms, and societal consensus on AI usage exacerbates the threat. The fast and inexpensive production of deep fakes through AI increases the risk of sowing distrust in the electoral process and eroding trust in shared information. Notably, the impact of AI on elections is not limited to foreign interference, as even individuals and content creators can exploit AI for profit or to shape political narratives.
The Global Significance of AI Governance
The intersection of AI and global elections highlights the importance of AI governance. Different countries and regions have varying perspectives on AI governance, and the leaders elected in these upcoming elections will influence future decisions on AI regulation and development. The global community currently faces several challenges, including the lack of uniform standards and resources across digital platforms, leading to discrepancies in the information people receive and potentially sowing more distrust. Additionally, with multiple global AI governance initiatives and the increase in autocracy and democratic decline worldwide, the election outcomes will impact the governments involved in shaping AI governance and technology-related decisions, influencing the direction of climate change, democratic integrity, and election security.
Implications for Democratic Societies
The proliferation of AI-generated disinformation poses significant threats to democratic societies. AI-powered deep fakes and manipulated content can lead to skepticism and confusion among voters, eroding consensus and trust in shared information. This erosion of trust extends beyond elections and affects the broader public's belief in democratic processes and representative government. The ability to rapidly and convincingly spread false information creates a 'liar's dividend' where everything can be seen as fake, undermining the foundations of deliberative democracy. Instances from Slovakia to the United States demonstrate how deep fakes and AI-generated content can influence public opinion and impact electoral outcomes.
Challenges and Call for Action in AI Governance
The challenges posed by AI in elections require urgent attention and comprehensive action. The sheer volume, speed, and low cost of generating AI-powered disinformation make it accessible to a wide range of actors, including individuals, content creators, and foreign governments. The resources allocated to handling adversarial activities and misinformation have been diminishing, contributing to a potential disaster in the face of multiple concurrent elections. The lack of attention towards the threats faced by countries beyond major markets creates a disparity in safeguarding those elections. It is crucial to demand diverse expert representation in AI governance discussions, including voices that have long warned about AI's harms. Representatives must prioritize informed decision-making and resist knee-jerk regulatory actions driven by headline-driven narratives.
Billions of people will take to the polls next year, marking the world’s largest-ever electoral field. But this historic scale is not the only thing that will make 2024 unique. As new threats like deep fakes become cheaper and more widespread, these upcoming elections could serve as a test run for democracy in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. What risks does AI pose to elections next year? And will a surge in AI-powered disinformation change the nature of democratic elections?
Featured Guests:
Kat Duffy (Senior Fellow for Digital and Cyberspace Policy)
Yoel Roth (Technology Policy Fellow, University of California, Berkeley)
