Understanding The Impact Of AI On Elections

New Delhi  April 24 ( VNI) In  the light of the ongoing elections for the 18th Lok Sabha, a panel discussion was conducted at the Indian Women Press Corps to explore how technology can influence the election process.

The panel comprised Archis Chowdhury, a Senior Correspondent at Boom; Japleen Pasricha, the Founder-CEO of  website "Feminism in India" Kartik Sharma, an AI Thought Leader, Tejasi Panjiar, an Associate Policy Counsel at the Internet Freedom Foundation.

AI has been utilized for some time, but the introduction of Generative AI has significantly affected the election process, with both positive and negative implications. The most notable impact of Generative AI is its revolutionary approach to information processing.

According to Archis Chowdhury, Senior Correspondent at Boom, the impact of Generative AI is already evident in the current elections and could become more pronounced closer to the polling dates. He stated that these tools could be used for disinformation campaigns by political parties. "The increasing use of Deep Fakes can lead to the dissemination of misleading information without accountability," he noted.

Japleen Pasricha, Founder-CEO of Feminism in India, highlighted the interconnectedness of AI and online abuse, noting that journalists are particularly vulnerable to abuse. She emphasized that all forms of AI technology are "double-edged" and have negative aspects, including trolling. "AI's impact on women is particularly significant," she remarked, stressing the need for mechanisms to combat hate speech and abuse. "Social media companies should implement corrective measures for such issues even before these technologies are fully deployed. Gender biases often manifest whenever a new technology is introduced, as the internet reflects broader societal trends."

AI Thought Leader Kartik Sharma, however, argued that AI can be effectively used during elections to enhance the self-image of political parties and politicians. He acknowledged the challenge of impersonation, stating, "It is a powerful tool for creating a scalable version of a candidate during an election." Regarding Deep Fake content, he noted the difficulty in tracing the source of content creators due to vague IT laws. He also highlighted the lack of a clear definition of Generative AI, which complicates issues of accountability.

Tejasi Panjiar, Associate Policy Counsel at the Internet Freedom Foundation, emphasized the potential consequences of AI on media legitimacy. She criticized the IT ministry's policy on the threat of Deep Fakes as deeply flawed, stating, "Political parties must also be held accountable."

Archis Chowdhury suggested that during the implementation of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission could prohibit the use of Deep Fakes, as the technology is new and could disrupt the election process.

Emphasizing the importance of AI use, the President IWPC , Parul Sharma stated that while we often contemplate the potential of machines to understand and respond to emotions, which can evoke both fascination and fear, an understanding and knowledge of AI can be greatly beneficial during elections.