PRELIMS BITS
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued advisories to inform electors about the potential misuse of AI-generated or synthetic content by political parties during elections. The advisories include:
Key Advisories
- Labeling AI/Synthetically Generated Content
- Any image, video, audio, or other material generated or significantly altered by AI technologies must be clearly labeled.
- Disclosure in Campaign Materials
- Political parties must include disclaimers wherever synthetic content is utilized in their campaigns.
Here’s a table summarizing the positive impacts and negative consequences of AI on the electoral process:
| Positive Impacts | Negative Consequences |
| AI-powered chatbots can provide personalized citizen engagement. | AI-generated deepfakes (audio & video) can mislead voters and undermine the electoral process. |
| AI enhances electoral security by detecting anomalies and fraudulent activities. | Biased training data can lead to unfair or discriminatory campaign practices, reinforcing inequalities. |
| AI enables predictive analysis for strategic resource allocation and fundraising optimization. | AI algorithms can be manipulated to favor certain candidates or parties, influencing voter behavior. |
| AI helps in creating detailed voter profiles, improving outreach efficiency and messaging accuracy. | Over-reliance on AI raises privacy concerns and makes campaigns vulnerable to technical glitches or cyberattacks. |
Delhi Police’s Action
In another development, Delhi Police has appointed a nodal officer to monitor social media for potential misuse of AI during Delhi’s assembly elections.
Steps to be Taken
- Assess Impact of AI on Free Speech and Elections
- Evaluate how AI in social media affects freedom of speech and the electoral process.
- Verify Claims Made by Platforms
- Independently verify the claims made by social media platforms under their accountability and transparency obligations.
- Create Algorithmic Filters
- Develop regulated filters to detect harmful content and ensure accountability in digital spaces.
- Establish Global AI Standards
- Work towards creating global standards for AI usage to safeguard democratic processes.