AI in the election: misinformation machine or meme generator?
Aug 28, 2024
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Will Oremus, a technology analyst and journalist, joins Marketplace host Meghan McCarty Carino to discuss the surprising presence of AI-generated memes in this election cycle. They explore how political candidates are utilizing these humorous visuals instead of widespread misinformation campaigns. The conversation covers the evolution of AI manipulation, the confusion it creates in discerning truth, and the implications of these technologies on public trust. With the election nearing, the duo analyzes how memes may influence voter perception.
The current use of AI in the election has primarily resulted in the creation of humorous memes rather than widespread misinformation campaigns.
The concept of the liar's dividend demonstrates how AI-generated content can blur lines of truth, complicating political discourse and undermining credibility.
Deep dives
AI Memes vs. Misinformation
In the current election cycle, the use of artificial intelligence has predominantly manifested in the creation of memes rather than misinformation campaigns. Generative AI tools have been utilized to create humorous yet misleading images that play on political narratives, often exaggerating the actions of candidates. For instance, Donald Trump amplified AI-generated images portraying Kamala Harris in a Soviet-style rally, promoting the notion of her as a communist. While these memes may not fool everyone, they serve to convey political messages in a vivid manner, blurring the lines between reality and parody.
The Liar's Dividend in Politics
The concept of the liar's dividend highlights how AI-generated imagery can create confusion regarding what is true or false. As the public becomes increasingly aware of the capability to generate realistic fakes, individuals may doubt authentic images and statements even when they are genuine. An example noted was how Trump accused Harris of faking an image of a crowd, despite evidence suggesting the image was real, reflecting how the mere possibility of AI manipulation can undermine credibility. This phenomenon complicates political discourse, allowing individuals to deny their actions by blaming AI misrepresentation.
Adapting to AI's Role in Communication
As AI technology continues to evolve, audiences may become more critical of the media they consume, particularly in assessing the authenticity of AI-generated content. While current AI-generated images in the election are not yet fooling the majority, the potential for deception remains with advancements in AI voice synthesis, as seen in a voter intimidation incident involving an AI-generated voice of Joe Biden. The hoax served as a reminder of how easily AI can be utilized for misleading purposes, leading to legal repercussions for those involved. Over time, individuals may adapt by relying on credible sources and being more discerning with the media they trust, fostering a more informed electorate.
By now you’ve probably heard that generative artificial intelligence has the potential to supercharge the spread of disinformation in this election year. But with 68 days until Election Day, we haven’t seen the kind of widespread AI misinformation campaigns that experts warned about. Instead, as Will Oremus pointed out in a recent analysis for The Washington Post, we’ve seen a whole lot of silly AI-generated memes. He told Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino that the most recent examples are coming from one particular presidential candidate.
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