What role will artificial intelligence play in 2024 presidential election?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As we get closer to November’s presidential election, experts are warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence and misinformation.
AI is playing a factor in how those will decide in the November election.
“AI algorithms can be used by countries to conduct influence operations and try to influence one election, but also try to influence levels of division, polarization, you know, divisiveness, things like that,” said Augusta University professor of International Relations in the Department of Social Sciences, Lance Hunter.
An issue now is how this technology can be regulated. Talks on how to do this started in the Biden istration when ChatGPT became public.
“Trying to maximize the benefits and then limit the potential dangers but that can be tough because it’s an evolving technology. The Biden istration has talked about this a lot,” said Hunter. “They’ve tried to work with a number of artificial intelligence companies and thinking about moving forward, but it’s a very evolving and dynamic landscape. Sometimes it’s tough to know these exact dangers until they emerge, but you can try to be aware as much as possible.”
Hunter says there are ways to spot what’s real and what isn’t when it comes to posts or pictures you may see with campaigns.
If a post doesn’t seem right, keep monitoring the information and allow others to vet it and make sure it’s legit.
You can also look at the to see who they’re following and when they’re posting. If their followers are unusual and/or they’re posting at weird times, it could be misinformation.
With all these factors, Hunter says it’ll be a topic when it comes to campaigns.
“I think it will be an important campaign issue, though, you know, how we navigate these waters effectively and currently with a Biden istration. There haven’t necessarily been hard and fast rules created. There’s been a few executive orders, but they’re really not that binding,” he said.
Election interference can come from Russia or China, according to Hunter.
TikTok could play a role with the Chinese government possibly having access to information gathered on the app.
“The concern is when the data gathering ability of TikTok since it is a Chinese privately owned company. In the issue and concern there is Tik Tok is very effective with their algorithm in determining what influences people and the most effective way possible,” said Hunter. “So, if China, has access to the data that TikTok acquires, that’s a massive amount of information that could potentially be used in a future type of influence operation.”
It could play a role in what videos you watch.
“The data can be extremely valuable in conducting influence operations to influence elections or try to increase division or discord in the United States. And then and that’s really why there’s a concern is China is involved in a number of influence operations at times directed at the US,” said Hunter.
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