AI, Elections and Misinformation: Protecting Informed Choices

Democracy depends on citizens being able to find reliable information. AI makes it cheaper to create persuasive content, and also offers tools to help.

• Deepfake audio and video of candidates saying things they never said.
• Synthetic images of events that didn't happen.
• Mass-produced messages and comments that imitate real people.
• Targeted persuasion using personal data.
• Impersonation of officials and news outlets.
• Voice-cloned robocalls giving false voting information.
• The "liar's dividend": real evidence dismissed as "just AI".
• Hallucinated answers from chatbots about voting rules and candidates.

• Plain-language explainers of ballots, processes and policies.
• Translations and accessible formats.
• Fact-checking support and claim matching.
• Detecting coordinated inauthentic activity.
• Helping officials answer voter questions accurately.

1. Check the source and whether reputable outlets confirm striking claims.
2. Use official channels for voting dates, locations and rules.
3. Be wary of emotional, urgent content designed to be shared.
4. Reverse-image search suspicious pictures.
5. Pause before sharing.
6. Don't rely on a chatbot for voting information. Verify with election authorities.
7. Report misleading content and impersonation to platforms and authorities.

• Label synthetic media and keep clear provenance.
• Train staff to spot and respond to fakes.
• Prepare rapid-response plans and trusted channels for corrections.
• Support media literacy in communities.

AI raises the stakes for misinformation, but careful sourcing, official channels and a habit of pausing before sharing protect healthy democratic debate.