As we step into the year 2024, a new era in democracy is unfolding before our eyes. The widespread availability of generative AI is poised to revolutionize political campaigns and elections around the world. From India to Indonesia, South Africa to the United States, dead leaders are endorsing successors, rappers are backing opposition parties, and presidential candidates are telling voters to stay home. However, none of these events are real – they are all generated by artificial intelligence.
With more than 2 billion people set to vote in over 60 countries, the 2024 elections are already historic in scale. The global electorate now faces the challenges posed by generative AI, which can be used for a myriad of purposes, ranging from creating deepfake videos to deploying bots and automated texts to influence voters. The use of AI in political campaigns raises concerns about misinformation, disinformation, and the spread of harmful content.
While experts predict that generative AI will significantly impact the information landscape, the exact implications remain unclear. Tech platforms have long struggled with issues like misinformation and hate speech, and the advent of AI-powered content creation is likely to exacerbate these problems. Companies claim to have implemented safeguards, but the potential for abuse and manipulation is high.
To better understand the role of generative AI in shaping political narratives, we are monitoring its use in elections worldwide throughout 2024. Our interactive map and list will provide real-time updates on countries where AI has been deployed in campaigns, along with details on specific instances and the tools and platforms involved. By keeping a close watch on the intersection of AI and politics, we aim to shed light on the evolving dynamics of democracy in the digital age.
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