AI models can meaningfully sway voters on candidates and issues, including by using misinformation, and they are also evading detection in public surveys according to three new studies.
Scientists are raising alarms about the potential influence of artificial intelligence on elections, according to a spate of new studies that warn AI can rig polls and manipulate public opinion.
In a study published in Nature on Thursday, scientists report that AI chatbots can meaningfully sway people toward a particular candidate—providing better results than video or television ads. Moreover, chatbots optimized for political persuasion “may increasingly deploy misleading or false information,” according to a separate study published on Thursday in Science.
“The general public has lots of concern around AI and election interference, but among political scientists there’s a sense that it’s really hard to change peoples’ opinions, ” said David Rand, a professor of information science, marketing, and psychology at Cornell University and an author of both studies. “We wanted to see how much of a risk it really is.”
14 Comments
foggy@lemmy.world · 35 pts · 270d
Narrator: little did they realize, It already had.
ameancow@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 269d
aarch0x40@piefed.social · 22 pts · 270d
Instead of massive advertising campaigns that promote the messages we’re “supposed” to hear from large corporations an financial backers?
anomnom@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 269d
How is AI not a couple large corporations with the world’s biggest assholes’ financial backing.
aarch0x40@piefed.social · 1 pts · 269d
There seems to be some gap in control or at least seems to be hinted at in some cases especially in cases where it gets used to further suicidal ideation
INHALE_VEGETABLES@aussie.zone · 7 pts · 270d
From the horses mouth
AI is already influencing elections — and will continue to — in several important ways. Here’s a clear, non-technical breakdown:
1. Voter Persuasion & Targeted Messaging
AI makes it easier to analyze huge amounts of data about voters and generate personalized political messages. Campaigns can use AI to:
This can increase efficiency but also raises concerns about manipulation and privacy.
2. Deepfakes & Misinformation
AI tools can generate:
These can spread rapidly and confuse voters, especially close to election dates.
3. Content Moderation & Detection Tools
AI is also part of the solution:
4. Automated Bots & Influence Campaigns
AI-powered bots can simulate real users and amplify political narratives at enormous scales. This can distort what appears to be “public opinion.”
5. Voter Information & Assistance
Positive uses include:
Bottom Line
Yes — AI will influence elections, both positively and negatively. It can improve access to information and campaign efficiency, but also increases risks like deepfakes and targeted manipulation. Most experts argue the impact will grow, making transparency, regulation, and digital literacy increasingly important.
If you want, I can also explain:
ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com · 5 pts · 270d
Which LLM is this from, ChatGPT?
ameancow@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 269d
mayorchid@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 269d
Wait, you mean to tell me that the billionaire machine, built by billionaires to say things billionaires like, might influence politics in favor of billionaires? Say it ain’t so
ameancow@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 269d
Sunflier@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 269d
Billionaires who own the government and direct it to ignore the will of the people with Citizens United and gerrymandering.
sin_free_for_00_days@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 270d
At one time I remember thinking, in my naïveté, that Americans actually valued scientists and progress. Silly me.
melsaskca@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 269d
I read that as "Scientists are increasingly worried that people are generally stupid and cannot confirm or distinguish truth from lies". And, dammit, they're right!
SnarkoPolo@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
Why do you think the tech bros are so erect over AI? One more tool to keep us under the whip and yoke of fascism.
nosuchanon@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
*again
Gates9@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 269d
I’m fairly certain that election fraud is already rampantly being practiced by various factions. I could post a long diatribe of sources for that, but the idea that AI manipulation of social media is what will push us over the line seems quaint.
xxam925@lemmy.zip · 0 pts · 269d
Data aggregation and mining have already made a mockery of the idea of humans having free will. Why cry now?
We are just a herd. Can I move THAT sheep? Maybe. Can I move the herd? Absolutely.