With the world advancing toward AI and most of the fields already having it embraced, it is very much possible that the upcoming US elections would cater a large chunk of it as well. And this won't be the first time the US would use an AI to study the elections and target the voters.
In 2012, during Obama’s election, the team had obtained a huge data on voter targeting using Artificial Intelligence. Similarly, in the year 2016, Trump's campaign had followed the same techniques and identified the strategies to target his vote bank.
We can see the AI speeding up day by day and its flexibility has now even reached the political segment of the USA. It can be easily sensed that with the cost efficiency, its speed, and reach AI can be of great profit for the political parties while creating influential campaigns and building great strategies.
Many of the politicians even believe that the impact of AI would be significant in the upcoming 2024 election cycle. As per the words of US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, “The upcoming 2024 elections will be the first time in U.S. history where AI-generated content will be used in political ads by campaigns, parties, and Super PACs. If AI-generated content can manipulate and deceive people on a large scale, it can have devastating consequences for our national security and election security.”
Here are a few methods in which an AI can impact the US election:
Targeting Voter Bank
The April 2023 survey revealed that 6% of voters were undecided, with 43% supporting Biden, 41% favoring Trump, and 10% preferring another candidate. This data suggests that undecided voters could play a pivotal role in the 2024 US elections. AI-powered audience targeting can capitalize on the granular details of individuals' preferences, behaviors, and beliefs to maximize voter engagement. This advanced technology offers a massive campaign opportunity to sway the undecided voters.
In the high-stakes game of election campaigns, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful player. It's no secret that AI's ability to get into the detail of individual preferences, behaviors, and beliefs is being harnessed to maximize voter engagement.
A recent experiment by the Democratic Party has brought this to the fore. The party turned to AI to generate initial drafts of fund-raising messages aimed at specific audiences. The results were startling, with AI-crafted drafts outperforming those penned by humans, a testament to the advanced capabilities of AI.
However, this new tool in the political toolbox is not without its critics. The use of AI-driven persuasive techniques, which can tap into voters’ vulnerabilities and potentially sway their political leanings, has sparked concern among the public. The fear is that AI could be used not just to inform, but to manipulate, raising ethical questions about its role in the democratic process.
AI in Fundraising
Recently, the Democratic Party has also tested AI to generate initial drafts of fund-raising messages to target specific audiences. Surprisingly, these drafts have shown much better results than those composed solely by humans. This is a clear indication of how AI can be a powerful tool in political campaigns.
It can create extensive lists of potential donors and generate personalized messages that resonate with them, thereby increasing the chances of successful fundraising.
AI-Generated Campaigns
AI in Campaign planning
Both Republican and Democratic political engineers are in a competing against each other to capitalize on the latest AI tools before their rivals. This race is not just about who can use AI most effectively, but also about who can navigate the ethical minefield that AI presents.
Recently, the Republican National Committee (RNC) utilized an AI art generator to create an advertisement that shows a dystopian future under Biden’s weak leadership after his recent re-election bid announcement. This is a clear demonstration of how political entities can leverage AI technology in a time-sensitive and resource-efficient manner to effectively communicate their narrative.
The use of AI in this context is not just about creating eye-catching visuals. It's about crafting a narrative that resonates with voters and doing so in a way that is both cost-effective and efficient. With AI, political campaigns can respond to developments in real-time, crafting messages that are tailored to the evolving political landscape.
Role of Chatbots in U.S 2024 Election
AI-powered chatbots can be a game-changer in engaging voters. They can answer voters’ questions accurately and promptly, saving campaign staff a lot of time. These chatbots leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to understand text in real time. This allows them to assist with voter inquiries by delivering accurate and personalized responses 24/7, all while maintaining the party's narrative.
One of the key advantages of AI chatbots is their ability to gather information about voters' preferences, likes, and dislikes. By interacting with voters, chatbots can collect valuable insights that can help shape policy on relevant election issues, develop targeted political engagement strategies, and improve outreach efforts.
AI chatbots can also play a significant role in fundraising initiatives. They can generate personalized fundraising campaigns and encourage voters to fundraise for their preferred candidates, ensuring transparency in campaign financing. Moreover, LLMs can be used to conduct micro-polling and message testing. This allows candidates to gather perspectives and testimonies from political audiences at scale, ensuring that their policies and vision align with the majority of people’s expectations.
AI and Democratization
The democratization of AI, particularly through easy-to-use generative AI tools, is transforming the political landscape. These tools are breaking down barriers to accessibility, empowering volunteers, and providing a level playing field for candidates with limited campaign funds.
However, the democratization of AI also presents new challenges, including the risk of shadow AI and the potential for spreading disinformation.
Generative AI tools are enabling volunteers to build powerful solutions for political campaigns. These solutions can analyze voter sentiments, research opponents, and personalize messaging, all without requiring extensive technical expertise.
This democratization of AI is particularly beneficial for candidates with limited campaign funds, as it allows them to leverage advanced technology without incurring significant costs.
How can AI affect the political structure?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, and its implications in various sectors, including politics, are profound. As we head into the 2024 US elections, the role of AI in political campaigns is under scrutiny.
The ethical implications and restrictions of AI in politics are complex and multifaceted, necessitating a robust regulatory framework to prevent any critical consequences.
The lack of guardrails or disclosure requirements can create ambiguity and mislead the public. This ambiguity severely threatens the integrity of the 2024 US elections. The potential for AI to generate and spread false news is a significant concern. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a robust regulatory framework that promotes transparency and safeguards the integrity of US presidential elections.
The increasing use of AI in politics also raises concerns about voter data privacy. In many cases, users do not consent to the collection and analysis of personal information. This violation of privacy is a significant ethical concern. US legislation currently allows candidates to keep their usage of AI-generated content private. This lack of transparency can undermine the democratic process and compromise voter data.
AI could potentially make elections an uneven playing field for candidates. A candidate with access to advanced AI tools can gain an unfair advantage over others. This disparity can undermine the democratic process and lead to biased outcomes. Besides, algorithm bias is another AI shortcoming that can inadvertently make decision-making processes not based solely on merit.
The spread of misinformation through deepfakes by malicious actors during elections can complicate the political landscape. Deepfakes, or AI-generated fake videos or audio recordings, can be incredibly convincing and difficult to debunk. They can be used to spread false narratives and misinformation, undermining the integrity of political campaigns and the democratic process.
About the Author:
I’m Tejas Mundhada. With a passion for Journalism and an enthusiasm for technology, I am keen on bringing you the best and latest AI news. I like exploring new subjects and expressing them through my own words.
