POLITICO Europe’s Post

This op-ed we published today at MIT Technology Review provides a helpful reality check on concerns about whether AI will undermine elections worldwide. We're midway through one of the biggest election years ever—give it a read if you want the latest research on this important question. As a journalist, I liked this point in particular: "Overly alarmist narratives about AI’s presumed effects on democracy risk fueling distrust and sowing confusion among the public—potentially further eroding already low levels of trust in reliable news and institutions in many countries."

🌐 The year 2024 is set to be the biggest election year in history, with over 4 billion people heading to the polls in countries around the world. However, election campaigns are now using artificial intelligence in unprecedented ways, including the creation of deepfakes to manipulate public opinion. 🔍 According to a report by Freedom House, AI was used in at least 16 countries over the past year to sow doubt, smear opponents, and influence public debate. 📱 The future of social media platforms is also undergoing a paradigm shift. The dominance of Facebook is being challenged by platforms like TikTok and Discord, as users seek more authentic and meaningful interactions. 💡 To protect users and safeguard democracy, platforms should focus on six technical approaches: 1️⃣ Verify human users without divulging identities. 2️⃣ Know the provenance of content and deprioritize bad actors. 3️⃣ Develop tools to identify and label deepfakes. 4️⃣ Filter advertisers and add disclaimers for synthetic content. 5️⃣ Enforce quality rules for content with the help of real humans. 6️⃣ Invest in research and provide access to critical platform data. ❓ How can social media platforms and regulators work together to implement these approaches and regain user trust in time for the 2024 elections?

"AI is going to overwhelm the 2024 election cycle!" Well, no. It's not turning out the way many had imagined. Yes, images, videos and audio created via #artificialintelligence tools have flooded social media, including during countries' elections. But, so far, the major harm from AI has been in financial scams, and not election interference. When I started out on POLITICO's editorial series, 'Bots and Ballots,' earlier this year, my main thesis was that, despite the hysteria, AI-powered #disinformation was just not going to be a major factor in this year's global 2024 election cycle. So far, fingers crossed, that theory is turning out to be correct. #humblebrag. But tell me what you think, here's a breakdown of what I found: "If the nine articles in this “Bots and Ballots” series show anything, it’s that, yes, AI-fueled disinformation is upon us. But no, it’s not an existential threat, and it must be viewed as part of a wider world of ‘old-school’ campaigning and, in some cases, foreign interference and cyberattacks. AI is an agnostic tool, to be wielded for good or ill." https://lnkd.in/eQsV4EmR — An overview of the over-hyped AI electoral threat: https://lnkd.in/e6ssREqR — The AI tools being used during elections: https://lnkd.in/e8Vr7SYn — What people actually think about AI's effect on elections worldwide: https://lnkd.in/eV8cF54T — How Microsoft has become a major player in policing AI in elections: https://lnkd.in/ePBg4wEu — How Russia is weaponizing AI disinformation in Moldova: https://lnkd.in/ey6jwmHe — A real use case of AI: TikTok's algorithm https://lnkd.in/eAV-y8Pz — How those in Global Majority countries are addressing the issue: https://lnkd.in/eu_cwGxk — What companies say they are doing about the potential harm of AI on elections: https://lnkd.in/egqCwJ-F — The business of peddling AI disinformation solutions: https://lnkd.in/eDFBkNPH

Some interesting points on the impact of AI in democracy!

🚨 Election 2024: The Rise of AI Interference 🚨 As we head into a critical election year, AI-powered manipulation is becoming a growing concern around the world. With over 60 countries holding elections in 2024, we're tracking every instance of AI interference. 📊 From deepfakes to robocalls, AI is being used to sway voter opinions, mislead the public, and undermine trust in democratic processes. 🤖 Here's a key takeaway: • AI-powered manipulation is no longer just a theory – it's a reality. • With millions of dollars being spent on AI-powered political advertising, it's no wonder that disinformation and misinformation campaigns are on the rise. • The consequences are serious, as AI-powered manipulation can erode trust in institutions, exacerbate societal divisions, and undermine the integrity of democratic processes. Stay informed and vigilant, as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of AI-powered manipulation in election 2024. 🗳️

What impact will artificial intelligence have on the 2024 election? It's already creating issues. Even amateurs are able to produce "deep fake" videos that trick social media users. Get educated now. https://wapo.st/3vwxHlw #deepfakes #disinformation #socialmedia #2024election

2024 will be the AI super election year. This article provides some very good examples of what to expect in terms of AI being deployed in campaigning. https://lnkd.in/eKx34T6k

🔍 Explore the "AI Transparency in Elections Act," a bipartisan bill requiring disclosure of AI utilization in political ads to combat misinformation. 💡 Understand how this legislation strives to improve transparency and accountability in digital politics. 📰 Delve deeper into the topic for more insights in the informative FedScoop article. #AITransparency #ElectionIntegrity #PoliticalAds [Link to article]

How can the interference of artificial intelligence be limited or eliminated in the 2024 U.S. elections? For the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) I wrote this article: https://lnkd.in/ee2tKry4

🅰🅸 🅴🆃🅷🅸🅲🆂 🅻🅰🆃🅴🆂🆃 : . With the US election season just around the corner, the stakes couldn't be higher. Are you worried about AI messing with people during the election season? 🤔 You're not alone. Microsoft and OpenAI are stepping up to fight back against AI-powered election disinformation with a new $2 million fund. 💰💰💰 Their game plan? Joining forces with organizations like AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), who champion the rights and well-being of Americans 50 and older, and International IDEA (International institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance), global experts in keeping elections fair and square. Together, they're going to equip voters, especially older adults, and the people running our elections, with the knowledge to spot AI-generated fakes. Think deepfakes designed to manipulate your vote! 🤯 It's all about empowering people to be savvy voters and safeguard democracy. A smarter voter is a stronger voter, after all. ✊ What do YOU think needs to happen to make sure AI doesn't hijack elections?