Generative AI and its Influence on India's 2024 Elections

Prospects and challenges in the democratic process

Voters in India waiting to vote in assembly election

IMAGO / NurPhoto

The paper explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) was utilized in the 2024 general elections in India, a year marked by a significant increase in the use of technology in political campaigns. The widespread use of AI tools globally during the „super election year,“ a term coined by the UNDP, raised questions about their impact on democratic processes. In the Indian elections, key applications included deepfake technology, targeted voter outreach, and AI-generated campaign materials. AI was employed both positively – enhancing the effectiveness of campaign outreach and enabling customized messaging – and negatively, allowing campaigners to amplify propaganda and spread deceptive content and misinformation to the masses, which was not possible in previous election campaigns.

Policy Paper AI on Indias 2024 Elections 03.12.2024 COVER

Policy Paper AI on Indias 2024 Elections 03.12.2024 PDF

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The paper highlights AI‘s dual role in enhancing voter engagement while also posing ethical risks. It raises concerns about voter privacy, the spread of false information, and the decline of informed voting. The paper emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible AI use, protect democratic integrity, and prevent misuse. It suggests that current AI technology will likely be used in similar ways in future elections. The study underscores the importance of a collaborative approach involving political parties, regulatory bodies, technology platforms, and voters to establish ethical standards for AI use in elections, ensuring that technological advancements support rather than undermine democratic principles.

Read the full Policy Paper here.

This publication is part of the AI/Democracy Initiative, a collaborative effort by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the German Council on Foreign Relations to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic processes and electoral integrity. Visit the project website here.

About the Authors:

D Dhanuraj
is the Founder-Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a non-profit, independent public policy think tank based in Kochi, Kerala, India. With over 20 years of experience, he is an expert in election analysis and a seasoned political observer. Dhanuraj’s work spans urbanisation, urban mobility, education, and governance. He frequently collaborates with governments and international organisations on policy research and recommendations. A sought-after speaker and commentator, he regularly contributes to policy debates, media discussions, and prominent publications. He currently serves as the President of the Association of Public Policy Education in India (APPE).

Sreelakshmi Harilal
holds a Bachelor's in Economics (H) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and an MSc in International Development from the University of Birmingham. She is currently an Associate in Research & Projects at the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). With a keen interest in political analysis, Sreelakshmi has extensively covered the 2024 Indian General Elections, several state elections, and the US elections. She has authored multiple articles on the third consecutive victory of the BJP-led NDA government and the challenges faced by the main opposition, primarily the Congress. Her recent work focuses on the intersection of technology and democracy, particularly examining the impact of AI on election campaigns and democratic processes.

Nissy Solomon
is the Hon. Trustee (Research & Programs) at CPPR. She has a background in Economics with a master’s degree in Public Policy from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. After graduation and before entering the public policy domain, she worked as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst with Nokia-Heremaps. Her postgraduate research explored the interface of GIS in Indian healthcare planning. She is broadly interested in Public Policy, Economic Development, and Spatial Analysis for policymaking.

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This text was first published by Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation. You can read the full Policy Paper by D Dhanuraj, Sreelakshmi Harilal and Nissy Solomon here.