Foreign adversaries, particularly Russia, continue to target American candidates and undermine the US democracy through online disinformation operations. The use of artificial intelligence has made these campaigns more sophisticated and convincing than ever before. AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have enabled the creation of convincing phishing emails and deepfakes, increasing the risk of abuse. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized the importance of addressing these threats during a panel discussion on AI’s impact on the 2024 global elections at Columbia University.
Election security has been a prominent issue in recent years, with concerns about foreign interference in the electoral process. Despite fears of possible hacking during the 2016 and 2020 elections, no widespread evidence of election fraud or meddling was found. Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, declared the 2020 election the “most secure election” in American history. However, the emergence of AI-powered disinformation poses a new and potentially more dangerous threat to electoral integrity.
Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, some voters in New Hampshire received AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden and instructing them not to vote. This incident highlights the potential for AI-powered disinformation to influence voter behavior and erode trust in the electoral process. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff warned that the combination of deepfakes and AI could have catastrophic consequences, likening it to pouring gasoline on a fire.
The panel discussion at Columbia University underscored the need for collaboration between government agencies and tech companies, particularly social media platforms, to combat the spread of disinformation and misinformation. The influence of AI in shaping public opinion and manipulating online discourse poses a significant challenge for both policymakers and tech companies. Strategies such as fact-checking, content moderation, and transparency measures are essential in combating the proliferation of AI-generated disinformation.
As the 2024 US election approaches, concerns about the impact of AI on democracy and electoral integrity are growing. Clear guidelines and regulations are needed to address the misuse of AI tools for political manipulation and disinformation campaigns. The ability of AI to create convincing and personalized content raises ethical and legal questions that must be addressed to safeguard the democratic process. It is imperative for policymakers, tech companies, and civil society to work together to protect the integrity of elections and defend against AI-powered threats to democracy.
