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How does AI-electoral-interference manipulate electoral processes?

AI-electoral-interference manipulates electoral processes by interfering with or physically manipulating the integrity of elections. Examples include deleting or creating data to alter results, suppressing voter credentials, not sending voter cards, and failing to provide polling station locations, all of which can dramatically influence outcomes when applied to large populations.

AI-electoral-interference refers to the determined control of democratic electoral processes, whether through passive interference or direct physical manipulation. Because AI can process large datasets faster than humans, it allows bad actors to anticipate results, make inferences, and take unethical actions, such as deleting or creating data to change the eventual outcome. Another manipulation tactic is suppressing voter credentials so that eligible voters cannot vote or find it very inconvenient to do so, for example by withholding voter cards or not providing the address of the nearest polling station. These tactics are especially effective on a large population and can significantly shift the final result. The source notes that such interference becomes more problematic in developing nations, which often have fewer checks and balances and greater difficulty for voters in reaching polling stations. It also points to event deepfakes and unethical administration of electoral processes as examples of this type of manipulation.

Key points

  • AI-electoral-interference involves passive interference or physical manipulation of electoral integrity.
  • AI can process big data faster, enabling early inference and unethical actions like deleting or creating data to alter outcomes.
  • Voter credentials can be suppressed, such as by not sending voter cards or hiding polling station locations.
  • Large-scale manipulations can dramatically influence final election results.
  • The problem is more severe in developing nations with fewer checks and balances and harder access to polling stations.
  • Examples include event deepfakes and unethical administration of electoral processes.
Source:AI and the Future of Democracy: Building Resilient and Inclusive Societies· Ethical artifcial intelligence (AI) design and implementation: Safeguarding democratic values· p. 65–68

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