In an era where technology’s impact is felt in every corner of the globe, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping political landscapes is a topic of increasing interest and concern. Recognising the need for a comprehensive, global perspective on this issue, the non-profit online publication, Rest of World, launched a unique project:
The 2024 AI Elections Tracker – https://restofworld.org/2024/elections-ai-tracker/
The Project’s Genesis
The 2024 AI Elections Tracker was born out of a desire to understand and document the use of AI in election campaigns across the globe. With more than two billion people in 50 countries heading to the polls in 2024, the potential for AI to influence these elections is significant. However, much of the existing coverage on this topic has been focused on elections in the West, particularly in the US and the UK. This has resulted in a lack of information and understanding about how AI is being used in elections in other parts of the world, particularly in the Global South.
The Tracker: An Ongoing Log of AI Use in Elections
The 2024 AI Elections Tracker aims to fill this gap by maintaining an ongoing log of instances where AI is being used in elections. The tracker collects examples of AI use, verifies them, and then reports on them, providing a summary along with context and links to the original content.
Victoria Turk, Features Director at Rest of World, explains the project’s goal: “The idea is to gather examples of AI being used in the context of elections globally… We wanted to look at what’s actually happening and go beyond those theoretical concerns to see what’s happening on the ground. We are looking at how generative AI tools are being used around elections in countries worldwide.”
The Tracker has reported several key examples of AI-generated fake news. One such instance occurred during the recent elections in Slovakia, where AI-generated audio recordings circulated on Facebook, impersonating a liberal candidate discussing plans to raise alcohol prices and rig the election. Another example was during the Nigerian elections, where an AI-manipulated audio clip falsely implicated a presidential candidate in plans to manipulate ballots. These instances highlight the growing concern of AI’s role in spreading misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the context of elections.
Achievements and Future Goals
While it’s still early days for the project after launching in April, the 2024 AI Elections Tracker has already begun to shed light on the role of AI in elections. It has highlighted the use of AI-generated content to spread misinformation, as well as to confuse and entertain voters.
The project aims to continue this work throughout the year, with the hope of building a comprehensive database of AI use in elections. This database will not only provide valuable insights into current trends but will also serve as a resource for future research and analysis.
Addressing Fake News
One of the key achievements of the 2024 AI Elections Tracker has been its role in identifying and documenting instances of fake news. AI-generated content is now widely being used to spread misinformation. By tracking these instances, the project is helping to raise awareness of this issue and provide valuable insights into the tactics used to ensure that voters are well-informed before heading to the polls.
In conclusion, the 2024 AI Elections Tracker is a pioneering effort to understand and document the global impact of AI on elections. By focusing on under-reported regions and providing a comprehensive, ongoing log of AI use, the project promises to provide valuable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time. With the ever-increasing advancements in AI, the role of this project will be critical to ensure free and fair elections globally.
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