As the US presidential campaign season heats up, there has been increasing concern about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign ads on YouTube. Experts worry that AI technology can be used to manipulate voters and undermine democratic values.
One example of AI in campaign ads is the use of deepfake technology, which allows politicians to appear to say things they never actually said. This technology can be used to create convincing videos that spread disinformation or propaganda. For example, a deepfake video could be created to make it appear as though a candidate is endorsing their opponent, which would confuse and mislead voters.
A recent study by the University of Oxford found that more than 70% of political parties around the world use social media bots and other forms of AI to spread propaganda. This type of artificial intelligence can be used to create fake news or manipulate public opinion. Another study by the cybersecurity firm Graphika found that in the US, there were more than 1,000 Facebook pages and groups linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory, which has been spread in part through AI-generated memes and videos.
Experts are concerned that the use of AI in campaign ads undermines democratic values. If voters can no longer trust what they see and hear in campaign ads, they may become disillusioned or apathetic. Additionally, the use of AI could lead to a situation in which campaigns with the most advanced technology have an unfair advantage over those with limited resources. As such, there is a risk that AI could undermine the integrity of elections and democracy itself.
It is important for policymakers, tech companies, and voters to address these concerns and work together to promote transparency and accountability in political advertising.
One personal anecdote that is relevant to this issue is the way in which campaigns use targeted ads on social media to create echo chambers and reinforce pre-existing beliefs. As someone who spends a lot of time on social media, I have noticed that I am often served ads that are tailored to my interests and political views. While this can be convenient, it can also be dangerous if it leads to a situation in which people only see information that confirms their existing biases. The use of AI in campaign ads adds another layer to this problem since it can be used to create tailored disinformation campaigns that are targeted at specific groups of voters.
Technology, Politics, Ethics
Curated by Team Akash.Mittal.Blog
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