The use of artificial intelligence in democratic procedures and political elections brings up a variety of possible risks that need to be carefully investigated.
The capacity of artificial intelligence to manipulate and disseminate false information is a worrying side effect. This encompasses the production and dissemination of deceptive information, such as deepfakes, fake news, and other forms of artificial intelligence, which have the potential to significantly affect public opinion and even influence the outcomes of elections.
This results in a decision-making process that is influenced by prejudice. If artificial intelligence algorithms are trained on biassed datasets or are built with intrinsic prejudices, it is possible that they would unwittingly perpetuate or worsen existing societal and political biases, which will ultimately lead to outcomes in elections that are unjust and discriminatory. Additionally, problems around privacy need to be properly explored. Applications of artificial intelligence in political campaigns may require the collecting and analysis of a substantial amount of data, which may give rise to legitimate concerns regarding the privacy of citizens. Personal information that is accessed without authorization or that is misused can have significant repercussions for the democratic process.
The ever-increasing reliance on digital technologies in the electoral process leaves platforms vulnerable to the possibility of cyberattacks. It is of the utmost significance to ensure that the results of elections are complete and accurate, as any attempts to hack into the voting infrastructure or manipulate the voting process might have severe repercussions.
There is the possibility of increased exclusion and inequality when it comes to the social component of the situation. It is possible that uneven political involvement and representation could result if certain sectors of the population do not have access to or adequate comprehension of technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This would be in direct opposition to the democratic tenet of equal representation for all citizens.
The complexity of artificial intelligence algorithms can sometimes lead to a lack of transparency in the decision-making processes for the organisation. Voters may not have a clear knowledge of how artificial intelligence systems effect political campaigns, which can make it difficult to hold individuals or institutions accountable for their activities during political elections.
Ethical issues may arise from the application of artificial intelligence in political decision- making. Concerns have been raised about the ethical use of artificial intelligence, the need to ensure accountability for decisions made by algorithms, and the danger that AI will serve to exacerbate existing power disparities.
It is very necessary to put in place stringent rules, ethical guidelines, and security measures in order to guarantee the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence technology in democratic processes. This is the only way to handle the concerns that have been identified. Additionally, raising awareness and advocating for digital literacy can equip individuals with the ability to critically evaluate information and participate more actively in the democratic process.