The ability of AI-driven data analytics became evident within the 2012 and 2016 US election campaigns. In 2012, Obama’s team used AI and large data to innovate voter targeting. In 2016, Trump’s team used it to discover specific voter segments and tailor outreach strategies. 

Previously, AI has been used to deliver personalized campaign messages and write emails. But, with the rapid development of AI, generative AI tools will feature prominently within the 2024 US elections. They’ll offer several benefits for political parties and candidates, including predictive evaluation, automated outreach, personalized promoting, etc. And, we’re already witnessing its impacts (discussed below). 

The flexibleness, cost-efficiency, and velocity of AI-generated content will drive political parties to harness this technology to develop and create influential campaign materials. For example, AI-driven deep fakes and audio generation models may be used to criticize competitors using satire, sarcasm, and propaganda.

In accordance with US Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke, generative AI will impact the elections significantly. She recently said,” The upcoming 2024 election cycle shall be the primary time in U.S. history where AI-generated content shall be utilized in political ads by campaigns, parties, and Super PACs. If AI-generated content can manipulate and deceive people on a big scale, it may possibly have devastating consequences for our national security and election security.” 

Let’s explore how generative AI will potentially affect the 2024 US presidential elections.

1. AI-Generated Campaigns 

Currently, each Republican and Democratic political engineers are in a competitive race to capitalize on the newest AI tools before their rivals. 

Recently, the Republican National Committee (RNC) utilized an AI art generator to create an commercial that shows a dystopian future under Biden’s weak leadership after his recent re-election bid announcement. 

This demonstrates how political entities can leverage AI technology in a time-sensitive and resource-efficient manner to effectively communicate their narrative.

Generative AI in politics will free political staff from repetitive tasks to give attention to more critical campaign points.  Nonetheless, bad actors can use the identical tools to generate misinformation to interfere in elections.

2. Precise Audience Targeting

Election campaigns are particularly meant to have interaction fence-sitters or swing voters and encourage them to vote so as to prevent an election upset. 

The April 2023 survey shows that 6% of voters were undecided, with 43% supporting Biden, 41% favoring Trump, and 10% preferring one other candidate. Hence, undecided voters are expected to play a major role within the 2024 US elections.

AI-powered audience targeting can capitalize on the granular details of people’ preferences, behaviors, and beliefs to maximise voter engagement. 

Recently, the Democratic Party has tested AI to generate initial drafts of fund-raising messages to focus on specific audiences. Surprisingly, these drafts have shown significantly better results than those composed solely by humans.

Nonetheless, using AI-driven persuasive techniques that taps into voters’ vulnerabilities and influence their political inclinations is a priority amongst most people.

3. AI-Powered Chatbots 

AI-powered chatbots, especially those built using Large Learning Models (LLMs) equivalent to ChatGPT, are quite popular as of late. They’ll have several useful political applications. For example, within the US elections, AI-powered chatbots may be used to reply voters’ questions precisely, saving campaign staff a number of time.

Political chatbots can leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to know text in real time. Hence, they’ll assist with voter inquiries by delivering accurate and personalized responses 24/7 without compromising the party narrative.

Moreover, leveraging voters’ interactions allows for the gathering of data about their preferences, likes, and dislikes. Insights will help form policy on relevant election issues, develop targeted political engagement, and improve outreach. 

Chatbots will help generate personalized fundraising initiatives, and get voters to fundraise for his or her candidates to make sure transparency in campaign financing. Furthermore, LLMs may be used to conduct micro-polling and message testing. Candidates could gather perspectives and testimonies from political audiences at scale to make sure that that their policies and vision match with a majority of individuals’s expectations.

Chatbots can provide voter registration assistance and election information, equivalent to Hillary Clinton’s election campaign in 2016 – reportedly. For users, chatbots will help them explain the political ideologies of candidates and hold thoughtful policy conversations to expand and depolarize their views. 

While careful monitoring is crucial to eliminate campaign inaccuracies, political bots can improve narrative constructing and data flow, and combat misinformation. 

4. AI-Based Information Democratization

With easy-to-use generative AI tools, people can create and eat audio/video information easily. AI tools reduce barriers to accessibility that may profit candidates with limited campaign funds. Moreover, AI democratization can empower volunteers to construct powerful solutions to research voter sentiments, research opponents, and personalize messaging.  

In 2019, an AI-powered communication platform called NaMo was employed in Indian elections to speak with voters. The thought behind launching an AI application was to reply the questions of the general public in real-time. Besides, holographic technology powered by AI was used as well to deal with multiple rallies concurrently in numerous locations across India. That is a chief example of AI democratizing information and enabling Modi to succeed in many citizens all around the country.

Nonetheless, AI democratization presents the danger of shadow AI which may compromise voters’ data. Any lack of transparency in political campaigns may cause a lack of control over data. Furthermore, anyone can use AI to generate content that promotes false biased narratives and spread disinformation. Subsequently, AI in politics needs regulation, restricting people from taking unfair and unethical benefits.

AI in Politics: Ethical Implications and Restrictions 

Generative AI capabilities are improving rapidly. The implications of AI in politics and the US elections especially aren’t explored entirely. Hence, ethical implications and restrictions have to be regulated to stop any critical consequences.  

• The shortage of guardrails or disclosure requirements distinguishing real and false news can create ambiguity and mislead the general public. It will possibly pose a severe threat to the integrity of the 2024 US elections.
• US laws allows candidates to maintain their usage of AI-generated content private. Any ambiguity can undermine the democratic process. So, it’s crucial to develop a strong regulatory framework that promotes transparency and safeguards the integrity of US presidential elections.
• Aside from that, the increasing use of AI in politics violates voter data privacy because in lots of cases users don’t consent to the gathering and evaluation of non-public information.   
• AI could make elections an uneven playing field for candidates where one candidate with access to advanced AI tools can gain an unfair advantage over others. Besides, algorithm bias is one other AI shortcoming that may inadvertently make decision-making processes not based solely on merit. 
• Lastly, the spread of misinformation through deepfakes by malicious actors during elections can complicate the political landscape.

Generative AI has been influencing the political campaigns of other countries equivalent to Germany, India, France, and Canada mainly to send personalized messages to targeted voter groups to extend engagement and donations. 

Political parties can leverage this technology to their advantage. But its consequences remain uncertain. AI laws may be the reply. It will possibly make sure the ethical use of AI in political campaigns. Nonetheless, an effort have to be laid to debate the ethics and regulations for using AI in politics.  

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