Election Dynamics: The Use of Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

The elections are the cornerstone of the democratic process. They are how the people voice their desires and shape the course of government. Artificial intelligence (AI) in particular has become more and more ingrained in the election process over time. AI has been applied to several tasks, including outcome prediction and voter involvement. However, there are a lot of difficulties and ramifications with using AI in elections.

With AI progressing from Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), it is becoming increasingly important to address its possible influence on elections. The impending polls in India serve as an example of how AI is affecting elections.

Artificial general intelligence (AGI) describes the theoretical capacity of an AI to comprehend, acquire, and use knowledge in a way that is comparable to human intellect in a variety of contexts and tasks.

The goal of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is to mimic human cognitive functions like perception, reasoning, problem-solving, and natural language understanding.

As we approach the Elections 2024, it becomes crucial to examine these issues closely

• Enhancing voter Engagement

The ability of AI to increase voter participation is one of the biggest advantages in elections. Large data sets can be analyzed by AI-powered systems to find trends and patterns that can improve political parties' and candidates' understanding of their voters. They can increase interaction by customizing their campaigns to target specific demographics by utilizing this data.

Problems

Data Privacy:- The use of enormous volumes of data presents significant privacy issues. Voter data breaches or misuse could give rise to moral and legal quandaries if improperly managed.

Algorithmic bias:- AI systems may inadvertently display biases, giving some candidates or demographic groupings unwarranted benefits. By swaying voter behaviour in one way or another, this might compromise democracy.

Implications

Making Informed Decisions:- By giving voters individualized knowledge of politicians and their platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) can assist voters in making better decisions.

Digital Divide:- On the other hand, there's a chance that it will get worse. Certain voter demographic groups can be left behind since not all demographic groups have equal access to technology.

• Stopping Election Theft

Any democracy is concerned about election fraud. AI can be used to stop and identify this kind of fraud, protecting the fairness of the election process.

Problems

Security Concerns:- Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to spot anomalies in voting patterns, but it can also be hacked and manipulated, therefore strong cybersecurity safeguards must be in place.

Accuracy:- When it comes to identifying fraud, AI algorithms' accuracy is crucial. The outcome of the election can be significantly impacted by even small mistakes.

Implications

Enhanced Security: By utilizing AI in voting systems, security may be improved and the possibility of fraud can be decreased.

Trust in the democratic Process:- On the other hand, there's a chance that voters will lose faith in the democratic process if artificial intelligence is unable to reliably identify fraud.

• Verification of Voters

Voter authentication may be streamlined by AI, increasing its effectiveness and security.

Problems

Security Issues: To prevent unwanted access, voter authentication mechanisms need to be secure. The electoral process's integrity might be compromised by taking advantage of any weaknesses.

Accessibility: All voters, regardless of their level of technological ability, must be able to use AI-based voter authentication systems.

Implications

Efficiency: AI can improve the voter authentication process's efficiency, which will lessen the possibility of lengthy lines and hold-ups at voting places.

Inclusivity: If all voters are unable to use AI-based authentication systems, there is a chance that some demographic groups will be left out.

• Combating False Information

One major problem in today's elections is the dissemination of false information. Voters will have access to accurate information thanks to AI's ability to recognize and dispel false information.

Problems

Concerns about Censorship: There is a thin line separating censorship and dispelling false information. Algorithms using AI must be carefully created to prevent restricting free expression.

Algorithmic prejudice: When genuine information is unintentionally censored by AI algorithms, it can result in allegations of prejudice and injustice.

Implications

Providing Accuracy: Artificial Intelligence has the potential to be extremely important in guaranteeing that voters receive correct information, which will protect the political process's integrity.

Freedom of Speech: If AI algorithms are not used correctly, there is a chance that this right will be violated.

• Forecasting the Outcomes of Elections

Election results can be predicted by AI algorithms by analyzing a variety of data points, which offers important insights into possible outcomes.

Problems

Data Reliability: The calibre and dependability of the data determine how accurate the forecasts are. Inaccurate predictions can result from biased or inaccurate data.

Overconfidence: Relying too much on AI predictions could cause voters and candidates to become complacent, which could have an impact on campaigning and voter turnout.

Implications

Strategic Planning: AI predictions can help political parties and candidates allocate their resources more effectively during the campaign period.

Democratic Principles: On the other hand, by possibly influencing voter behaviour, excessive dependence on AI predictions may give rise to concerns regarding the democratic process.

Conclusion

AI in elections has the potential to completely transform democracy by increasing voter participation, thwarting fraud, forecasting outcomes, dispelling false information, and expediting voter authentication. To guarantee the preservation of the electoral process's integrity, several important issues and consequences must be resolved.

Policymakers, election authorities, and technology specialists must collaborate as Elections 2024 gets near to address these issues and reduce any possible hazards related to the use of AI in elections. By doing this, we can make sure that the people's voice is heard clearly and use AI to promote democracy.

Written By: Param Saket Sarang

Supervised By: Adv. Kalyan Krishna Bandaru 

Reference

• Campaign Legal Center:- https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-artificial-intelligence-influences-elections-and-what-we-can-do-about-it
• Live Mint:- https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-artificial-intelligence-influences-elections-and-what-we-can-do-about-it
• The Hindu:- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ai-in-elections-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/article68017085.ece
• The Indian Express:- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ai-elections-disinformation-9216941/