Artificial intelligence can not only produce deepfakes and political disinformation but also influence voters’ decisions at the ballot box. – It may turn out that it is not political parties, but algorithms that will decide who wins the next election – warned Jakub Szymik, founder and president of the Digital Democracy Observatory Foundation.
Szymik points out that AI models can adapt to individual voters, their conversations and needs, tipping the scales in one direction or another. He cites a UN report on AI’s impact on societies as a direct warning. The foundation’s report 'Droga do karty wyborczej’ details these risks and argues that voluntary commitments by tech companies, such as the 2024 Munich Declaration, are insufficient.
The growing threat of AI-generated disinformation
Deepfakes and AI-generated content already flood campaigns. During the European Parliament elections, thousands of posts depicted Ursula von der Leyen or Stalin dancing on the grave of the European Union. – No single citizen could generate that many materials – says Szymik. He warns that similar tactics will appear in upcoming Polish elections: AI-generated influencers, chatbots urging people to vote, and content that may not be properly labelled.
Even mainstream models have shown political bias. Szymik recalls that Grok, the chatbot on X, openly declared it would vote for Konfederacja – a party that previously had its Facebook account removed by Meta in 2022. This illustrates how algorithms from US or Chinese companies can influence electoral processes in other countries.
Regulatory race against time
Poland still lacks precise rules for labelling AI-generated content, political influencer ads, and mass use of AI in campaigns. A bill initiated by the Senate would allow the National Electoral Commission to impose fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover on platforms that violate transparency rules. – If the president signs it, institutions like PKW, UODO, UKE and UOKiK will have the tools to hold platforms accountable – explains Szymik. He urges quick action, as the EU regulation on political advertising already requires transparency and bans targeting based on sensitive data.
However, Szymik fears that without swift implementation, the six-month pre-election moratorium on new regulations could leave the system unprepared. – Algorithms may decide the outcome – he concludes, calling on parliament and the president to work together.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/dee karen, Fundacja Obserwatorium Demokracji Cyfrowej
