HOW Artificial intelligence (AI) CAN IMPACT ELECTIONS_ A Panel Discussion

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: Artificial intelligence (AI) has already made significant advancements in various industries such as education, healthcare, and the workforce. The political arena is no different, and AI is increasingly being used to influence the election process. Political parties are employing retargeting strategies to customize messages that resonate with voters. However, despite initiatives by The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) to address privacy concerns related to AI platforms, there are currently no specific laws regulating AI in India, though the government has introduced guidelines for responsible AI development.

The use of AI-generated political advertisements has sparked debates on transparency, accountability, and the need for regulatory measures to ensure the authenticity and transparency of political discourse in this new era of politics.

As India holds elections for the 18th Lok Sabha, The Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) organized a panel discussion at their Windsor Place premises in New Delhi on April 23, 2024, to explore the impact of AI technology on the elections.

The panelists were; Archis Chowdhury Senior Correspondent Boom, Japleen Pasricha Founder-CEO Feminism in India, Kartik Sharma, AI Thought Leader, Tejasi Panjiar, Associate Policy Counsel Internet Freedom Foundation

The use of AI-generated content in election campaigns is rapidly increasing, and it’s causing some concerns. The technology is being used to create Deepfakes and AI-generated voices, which can be used for political messaging and the creation of fake images. It has become a focal point for discussions on the security of the election process.

AI has been in use for some time, but with the introduction of Generative AI, it has had a greater impact on the election process, both positively and negatively. The most significant impact of Generative AI is the way it has transformed the processing of information.

According to Archis Chowdhury, Senior Correspondent Boom, the impact of generative AI can already be seen in the current elections and it could be close to the polling dates. He said these tools can be used as disinformation campaigns by political parties. “The increasing trend of Deep Fakes can be misused for misleading information without accountability”, he said.

AI can be viewed as a double-edged sword. In some cases, it is seen as a solution to problems, while in others, it may pose a threat.

“AI and online abuse are also interconnected and journalists are at greater risk of facing abuse”, according to Japleen Pasricha Founder- CEO of Feminism in India. All forms of AI technology were “double-edged” and had negative sides including trolling. “AI Deep Fake impacts women the most”, she said, adding that there should be proper mechanisms to stop hate speech and abuse. “Social media companies should have corrective measures for such things even before these technologies are rolled out. Gender biases are a common occurrence whenever any new technology is introduced as the internet reflects the larger part of society” she added.

AI thought leader Kartik Sharma however observed that AI can be used very effectively during election time for scaling up self-image by the political parties and politicians but the problem appears in case of impersonification. “It is a brilliant tool to create a scalable version of a candidate during an election”. He also said, “In case of Deep Fake content it becomes difficult to track the source of content creators due to vague IT laws. The definition of Generative AI is not clear due to which it becomes a problem in putting accountability”.

Tejasi Panjiar, Associate Policy Counsel Internet Freedom Foundation, said that AI can have consequences on media legitimacy. She also maintained that the IT ministry’s policy on the threat of Deep Fakes is deeply flawed, “Political parties must have accountability also”.

Archis Chowdhury has suggested that the Election Commission could ban the use of deep fakes during the model code of conduct period, as this new technology could potentially damage the election process.

Parul Sharma, the President of IWPC, has emphasized the importance of using AI in elections, as a good understanding of this technology can be of great help. She also highlighted that there is often a mix of fascination and fear when it comes to machines’ ability to understand and respond to emotions.