As the 2024 presidential election approaches, AI’s role in politics is increasingly significant, yet its integration often remains discreet due to public mistrust and the slow pace of AI regulation, despite President Joe Biden’s executive order for “safe, secure, and trustworthy” AI.
AI has already demonstrated its potential in the political arena. For example, Kevin Pérez-Allen of the nonpartisan organization United States of Care, highlights AI’s use in analyzing voting patterns, tailoring messages to residents, and scrutinizing social media trends. In campaign communications, tools like ChatGPT are being employed to draft speeches and marketing materials, streamlining operations and reducing the need for extensive staffing.
However, challenges like the creation and spread of deepfakes in political campaigns raise concerns. A notable instance occurred during Chicago’s February 2023 mayoral primary, where a deepfake video seemingly showing candidate Paul Vallas endorsing police brutality surfaced, potentially impacting the election outcome.
“We’re going to see a lot of fiction being created both for and against candidates,” said Sinclair Schuller to CNBC, co-founder and managing partner of AI implementation firm Nuvalence, who has assisted governments in incorporating AI, inevitably focuses on the potential risks of AI in the electoral domain. “I think that’s where a lot of confusion will emerge as a consequence.”
The battle against such misinformation is intense. Techniques like using AI to detect and flag AI-generated content are proving more effective than post-factum fact-checking, as they prevent misinformation from taking root.
Beyond these challenges, AI holds the promise of enhancing political campaigns. It could enable hyper-localized, personalized messaging, catering to diverse communities with language and dialect-specific content. This potential extends to in-booth translation and transcreation, considering the overall messaging nuances.
“Instead of just reading someone’s policy positions on their website, there would be an AI chatbot with the platform that gives you the answers and, backed by data, makes it feel like having a direct line to the campaign,” said Pérez-Allen.
Yet, realizing this potential hinges on effective regulation. The example of Congress’ inertia in regulating social media, and the lack of significant updates since Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, casts doubt on swift progress in AI governance. This skepticism is echoed by Pérez-Allen, who questions whether the current presidential candidates will address AI policy meaningfully without a major AI-triggered crisis.
In a broader context, government agencies are already adopting AI, like the Department of Labor using it for tasks such as benefits claims verification, indicating its growing utility in various government functions. As the election draws near, AI’s role in enhancing accessibility, personalization, and the dissemination of information is set to reshape the political landscape.
Featured image: Credit: Spiel Extase, PlaygroundAI
