Election is the substratum in a modern democracy since its first occurrence in Ancient Greece, 508 B.C. One of the profound tools which are changing elections is digital technologies.
The jump in Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting elections. AI describes the ability of digital technologies such as computers to perform a task premised on human intelligence, such as reasoning, problem-solving, creativity and learning.
AI can be used in any discipline, hence a powerful cross-cutting tool. An example of AI in action is the creation of texts, images and videos which previously required significant know-how, a time-consuming process and expensive technological infrastructure.
Presently, AI is making wholesale digital content creation and dissemination very easy and inexpensive. One can generate a speech, joke, video or press release without costly content generators. Also, AI generates content relevant to targeted audience based on ongoing conversations.
The effects of AI on elections reflect in major actors in the electoral space, including voters, elections management bodies, civil society actors, media, political parties and candidates.
Profound Effect
AI makes it possible for candidates and political parties to manipulate, persuade and engage voters in one-on-one interaction as it provides information on candidates and personalises interactions and makes it more effective through automation of behavior manipulation. Campaign messages can be personalised due to AI’s capability to generate multiple personalised messages based on individuals.
Artificial intelligence empowers voters with opportunities to understand electoral issues, offer them detailed profiles of candidates and ensure effective participation in elections.
Furthermore, it can deliver customized targeted campaign adverts, that is different sets of messages for online or traditional media engagement
Election observers are critical stakeholders in electoral processes as they validate election results using the Parallel Vote Tabulation ( PVT), based on data collected they are independently able to confirm the validity of results issued by electoral management bodies.
AI can predict election results more accurately than other prediction methods by supporting PVT, providing a faster and reliable method of vote.
Although AI is shaping elections its usage is without challenges, Political opponents can use it to discredit their opponents and promote fake facts and can lead to the disconnection of citizens from the voting process, and many more. But it is worth applying AI in this modern elections system.
