When the largest democracy goes to poll, a new emerging threat called AI looms large.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing complex tasks that till now only a human could do. Reasoning, decision making, and solving problems can be performed by computer systems.
Artificial intelligence is the theoretical state in which a computer system is able to exceed human intelligence. Common examples today are ChatGPT, Google Translate, Netflix, Tesla etc.
Whenever we use the term artificial general intelligence, we are referring to the kind of computer programs and machines that are commonly found in popular science fiction.
The major threat lies in the ability of AI to quickly generate new content, text or images. Today it is the major tool to create misinformation and violate laws and regulations.
The impact of social media on elections is evident but the threat of AI is enormous and unexplored. Agencies involved in conducting fair elections are yet to device means to counter this unseen enemy.
In the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha much like past elections, the online platforms will play a role in shaping the contours of the campaigns and new developments will challenge the already contested information space. The major development is generative artificial intelligence (AI), which allows anyone to create realistic images, video, audio, or text .
AI outputs have been advanced enormously. We have already seen the impact with the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Its potential for creating a disinformation chaos in the 2024 by accelerating production of false information.
AI generated or significantly altered content can be used to undermine democratic discourse and electoral behaviour in a variety of ways. They can deter voters from exercising their right to vote or manufacture events depicting a candidate to be involved in some scam or scandal that will disturb his supporters.
Authentic information can be labelled to be cast as false or generated to avoid accountability, especially in matters of scandals impacting election campaigns. This can cause a sway in public opinion, create rift in communities, demotivate or deceive voters undermining the trust of the general public in the electoral process.
As a democratic country we need to consider how to respond, and create means for interventions against the threat from AI. Legislation should be adequately updated for election-specific concerns of deepfake content depicting candidates.
The voter should also be educated about how to scrutinize generated content. Tech companies also should be directed for watermarking devising new tools for detection. They can also facilitate online information to wholly address the challenge of generative AI.
AI invasion has already been experienced by the Americans during their elections. The Chinese attempts at influencing the American elections with the help of generative AI has also been reported. AI generated fake contents have come up concerning the Russia – Ukraine War. Even smaller countries such as Bangladesh have reported widespread use of AI generated misinformation and deepfakes in their recent elections.
A concept has evolved known as the “liar’s dividend” whereby some politicians profit from an informational environment saturated with misinformation.
Another prominent phenomenon is called the “firehose of falsehood” which is a propaganda technique where large number of messages are broadcast rapidly, repetitively, and continuously over multiple channels without any check for truth or consistency
The print media has been almost wiped out by the online platforms , specially after the pandemic, but it alone has the potential to counter the menace of AI disinformation. Though in India we still have some hope with a remaining few print media houses which are continuing against all odds. The trust on print media can get a boost in this attempt to counter this threat. The concerned agencies can educate the citizen to check and cross check information and not believe anything and everything catered on online platforms. The print media has an opportunity as a service to the nation.
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The proliferation of AI-generated content during the general elections 2024 may accelerate the loss of trust in the overall election system. A nation where 77% of the population use mobile phones and more than 60% of them are active on the social media there is a need for serious concern. Voters inhabit online spaces crowded with manipulated viral images and videos and AI-generated text. Widespread use of generative technology could create a tremendous confusion as what to believe and what not to believe.
