India (Commonwealth Union)_ As India is staging the world’s largest democratic exercise, the intrusion of artificial intelligence (AI) into the political landscape has become a significant concern. AI and deepfakes are now part of the campaigning, spreading messages and making videos that are not real to influence voters. Accordingly, experts caution that current regulations are inadequate to manage the rapidly advancing technologies like deep fakes.
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Presently, India’s dynamic democracy stands at the threshold of a profound shift catalyzed by Artificial Intelligence. AI-driven innovations are swiftly spreading in everyday life, and elections are no exception. From targeted voter engagement to the manipulation of public sentiment, AI holds immense potential to reshape the electoral arena, offering both opportunities and challenges for Indian democracy.
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The utilization of AI-driven analytics has already manifested in various forms globally. For example, during the 2016 US presidential elections, Cambridge Analytica leveraged data extracted from millions of Facebook profiles to construct intricate voter profiles. This data was then used to tailor personalized advertisements and messages on social media, thereby influencing voters’ decisions.
Furthermore, the entrance of AI and deepfakes into the electoral process is high due to the sheer scale of India’s elections, which boast the largest electorate globally, with 970 million voters. Deepfakes, which are convincingly manipulated videos, can fabricate false narratives and launch smear campaigns against political opponents. Accordingly, an instance of AI’s influence was observed when, during a Lok Sabha election event, the late DMK leader M Karunanidhi was digitally resurrected to deliver a speech, showcasing the potential of AI to manipulate political imagery.
In November 2023, a fabricated video circulated via WhatsApp depicted BRS leader KT Rama Rao endorsing the Congress party. Despite its falsity, the video may have contributed to the Congress party’s victory in the Telangana assembly elections. Moreover, political parties have employed deepfakes to disgrace opponents’ images, as seen when the Congress shared a manipulated video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face superimposed onto a popular singer’s body.
Additionally, other parties have also utilized AI-generated content, such as the AIADMK’s release of a message purportedly voiced by the late J Jayalalithaa, urging support for the current party leadership. Further, deepfake technology has been utilized extensively, as demonstrated by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari’s dissemination of altered videos during Delhi’s assembly elections in February 2020. These videos featured Tiwari speaking in different languages, fabricated through deepfake technology.
Furthermore, instances of AI manipulation have not been limited to India, as evidenced by robocalls impersonating US President Joe Biden, urging voters to abstain from voting in a primary election in New Hampshire. Additionally, the increase of AI-generated content poses significant challenges globally. In Taiwan, concerns were raised about US interference in local politics due to an AI-generated deepfake.
Recognizing the potential threats posed by AI manipulation, the Indian government has issued advisories to AI companies including Google and OpenAI, urging compliance with Indian laws and emphasizing the importance of maintaining electoral integrity. In response, tech giants like Meta and Google have taken steps to mitigate the spread of AI-generated misinformation, with Meta labeling altered content and Google collaborating with fact-checkers to combat misinformation.
While the Indian government initially adopted a hands-off approach to AI regulation, recent developments indicate a shift towards greater oversight, particularly concerning electoral integrity. With India’s ongoing national polls, the influence of AI on the electoral process underscores the need for proactive regulation. While AI offers transformative potential in political campaigning, it also poses significant risks to democracy, necessitating a balance between innovation and regulation to safeguard electoral integrity.
In conclusion, there is no denying AI’s influence over the elections. It has the power to transform public opinion, personalize voter outreach, and revolutionize campaign tactics. Voters can receive personalized information from AI on the candidates and different political parties. But there are significant hazards associated with the possible advantages that must be considered. When it comes to holding fair and impartial elections, India has led the world. Overall, making artificial intelligence a powerful force for good can be accomplished by embracing transparency, digital literacy, and regulation.
