Elections are the foundation of democratic governance, ensuring the public can choose their leaders and hold them accountable. Attributing electoral disruptions to foreign powers leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to interfere in domestic politics is becoming increasingly common. This effectively shifts the focus from vulnerabilities to external threats, diverting attention from national to international concerns. AI, in this context, serves as a litmus test for the efficiency and resilience of a country's institutions, the robustness of its information ecosystem, and the public's understanding of technology, writes Aleksei Turobov.
When considering AI’s role in politics, the first thought that often comes to mind is that it will disrupt elections. But will it? In a year marked by significant elections worldwide, it is critical to maintain a balanced perspective. AI is often portrayed as a major threat to electoral integrity, with accusations of electoral interference regularly directed at global powers like Russia and China. Conversely, these nations often retaliate with similar claims, accusing countries like the US of attempting to influence their electoral processes. This cycle of blame and counter-blame underscores a deeper narrative that sees AI as a tool of geopolitical strategy.
The complexities of advanced technologies like AI often go beyond the general public’s understanding and awareness, cultivating conditions of anxiety and fear. This lack of familiarity can be troubling, as the unknown is frequently perceived as a potential threat. Thus, shaping a narrative that AI is naturally risky and threatening is much easier, providing governments with an impetus to impose increasing controls to safeguard democracy.
Elections are fundamental to the democratic process, serving as critical mechanisms for political representation, power distribution, political accountability and responsiveness, and public satisfaction with democracy’s performance. However, when complications arise within the electoral process – be they minor technical malfunctions or crises – states rarely acknowledge that such problems may be symptoms of deeper, systemic problems. These could include a decline of institutional quality, flaws within the media and informational landscapes, eroded trust amongst the public or gaps in political communication and governance. Instead, a common response is blaming foreign powers, from China and North Korea to the United States and the United Kingdom, for employing AI to interfere in domestic elections. This not only distracts from domestic electoral shortcomings but also reframes the debate within a global context, thus externalising the source of potential electoral interference.
AI, in this context, serves as a litmus test for the efficiency and robustness of a country’s institutions, its information environment, and the public’s understanding of technology. It highlights the vulnerabilities in these areas and underscores the collective responsibility that societies bear in addressing these multifaceted challenges. AI’s role in elections is thus symbolic of broader societal issues that require comprehensive and informed responses.
Inevitably, this binary perspective of AI as either a tool for interference or a convenient scapegoat oversimplifies reality. AI is used directly in politics and elections – to manage data, target voters, and even predict electoral outcomes. These issues require monitoring and attention, which groups like the Institute for Human-Centered AI at Stanford University, the Alan Turing Institute and the Ada Lovelace Institute are engaged in. But while acknowledging that AI can be exploited by “bad actors” to influence elections, it is equally important to consider how this technology can be harnessed for positive outcomes. Can we imagine an example of AI being used as a valuable tool for society, actors, and NGOs in the electoral process? If “bad actors” used AI, why do “good actors” not do so? AI’s potential to enhance transparency, efficiency, and fairness in electoral processes is understudied and underutilised.
AI-driven chatbots, if used responsibly, can facilitate real-time interactions between political candidates and voters, improving communication and engagement. AI may be able to streamline election campaign management and simplify voting information dissemination, including registration processes and polling details. It could improve the accuracy of voter registries, increase transparency in election campaigns and vote counting, and ensure that electoral processes are inclusive and accessible to all citizens. Additionally, AI may be able to enhance voter roll management by detecting duplicate entries, verifying mail-in ballot signatures, proofreading election materials, and identifying optimal polling locations based on traffic patterns and public transportation routes.
Understanding AI as a multifaceted technology and tool allows us to see beyond alarmist rhetoric and explore its constructive applications. When leveraged responsibly, AI has the potential to strengthen democratic institutions rather than undermine them. This approach challenges prevailing narratives of AI-induced electoral doom and highlights the technology’s potential to promote civic engagement and bolster electoral integrity. In addition, the intersection of AI with electoral processes invariably involves geopolitics, adding a layer of complexity to how such technologies are perceived and managed. Recognising and addressing the geopolitical implications of AI in elections is essential, ensuring that discussions and analyses are well-rounded and consider both domestic and international dimensions.
By examining the interplay between AI and geopolitical dynamics, AIxGEO aims to foster a balanced discourse that provides a more objective perspective.
Several of these diverse AI narratives were discussed at a public event hosted by the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, “How will AI impact ‘the year of elections’?” with leaders in AI from academia, industry, and policy.
- Watch the event recording
- View photos from the evening below
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy.
