In 2024, 70 elections will be held worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already starting to revolutionize campaign strategies, supercharge the automation of electoral procedures, and enable the wholesale creation of content and disinformation that influences voter sentiment. In particular, the EU parliamentary elections in June and US presidential elections in November will consequential for this “AI election year.” Given the rapid and increasing integration of AI in political campaigns and electoral processes, as well as the proliferation of social bots and deepfakes, it is crucial to recognize both the risks and opportunities that AI presents for the integrity of democratic elections.
The AI/Democracy Initiative focuses on studying the impacts of AI on global electoral processes in the super election year 2024. It seeks to encourage public discussion about the potential risks and benefits of this technology to help build the trust that is essential for protecting the legitimacy of democracy and the electoral process.
Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research applied to 2024 elections in Mexico, Ghana, South Africa, India, and the United States, as well as to those in the European Parliament and in the German states of Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia, the AI/Democracy Initiative aims to establish a solid foundation for a nuanced understanding of the impact AI will have on electoral processes. It will use this research to recommend evidence-based best practices for a more resilient democracy with a view to the German federal election in 2025. Furthermore, the initiative will empower key stakeholders through ongoing communication and events that equip them to understand, address, and prevent the impact of AI intervention.
Share
Experts
