The American public harbors mixed feelings about artificial intelligence. In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, about 18% of participants reported being more excited than concerned about the increased prevalence of AI in their daily lives. However, 37% categorized themselves as more concerned than excited and 45% as equally excited and concerned.
Regardless of what side of the aisle you find yourself on, you are likely curious about how AI will reshape our society and its key institutions, such as our election processes. While some believe that AI will not have a meaningful impact on elections for many years, others predict that we will see a measurable change in election processes as soon as 2024.
Here is everything you need to know about AI and its potential role in future elections.
The Positive Impacts of AI on Future Elections
By and large, artificial intelligence’s impact on elections will be positive. With leading AI tools in place, campaign teams can increase their agility and more effectively connect with constituents. Specifically, they will be able to:
Precisely Target Audience Segments
AI tools make it easier to analyze massive amounts of voter data and divide them into audience segments based on shared beliefs and sentiments. Campaigners can then use their AI-powered marketing technology to precisely target key segments and deliver curated content that addresses their most prominent concerns.
AI targeting is a true game changer for campaign managers. This strategy not only helps them better engage voters but also allows them to make every advertising dollar more impactful.
As a result, they no longer need to waste precious resources targeting entrenched voters in the opposite camp. Instead, they can focus their efforts on long-time party supporters and middle-of-the-road constituents who have not yet decided who to support.
Respond to Campaign Developments Faster
In past elections, it could take days or even weeks for a candidate to craft a response to the opposition’s announcements or claims. Thanks to AI, candidates can create and publish response videos in a few days or, in some cases, within hours of their opposition releasing potentially damaging content.
By expediting response times, AI allows candidates to address voter concerns when a key issue is top of mind.
Mobilize Passionate Voters
Today, virtually anyone can create quality campaign content to support their preferred candidate, including the everyday voter. Modern AI content creation tools simplify the process of generating videos and images.
Candidates can use this development to their advantage by encouraging voters to get involved in the campaigning process. Whereas supporters once held signs and knocked on doors, they can now influence local voters by creating high-quality content using AI-powered editing tools.
Potential Drawbacks of Using AI in Election Campaigns
For the most part, the implications of AI in elections are positive. For instance:
- Candidates can respond to the opposition faster without sacrificing quality
- Campaign managers can precisely target key audiences and mobilize voters
- Voters themselves can become more involved in the election process
However, there are some concerns that AI could negatively impact the legitimacy and integrity of the election by:
Supporting the Spread of Disinformation
Politically active individuals with good moral fiber will create campaign content based on facts, truth, and reasonable viewpoints. Conversely, those who are interested in influencing election results by any means necessary can use AI content-creation tools to spread disinformation.
Of course, disinformation existed long before the rise of AI. However, this emerging technology has made it easier to spread misleading statistics or outright lies.
Facilitating the Creation of Deepfakes
AI editing tools can also facilitate the creation of deep fakes, which are images or videos that have been digitally manipulated for malicious purposes. Sophisticated AI editing solutions can replace one person’s likeness with that of another, making it appear that the individual being targeted is committing some heinous, immoral, or criminal act.
As AI becomes more advanced, deep fakes are increasingly becoming difficult to detect, making them a real threat to candidates’ reputations. Even if a candidate can successfully debunk a deep fake, the damage may already be done.
How to Embrace AI
Virtually everyone will be using AI in some capacity in the upcoming election cycle. To keep pace with the opposition and ensure your candidate has a fair opportunity to win, your team will need to do the same.
To effectively use artificial intelligence, two elements are essential. You’ll need an abundance of high-quality data and the right technology.
When searching for AI solutions to support your next campaign, focus on AI-powered analytics solutions and editing/content generation tools that use artificial intelligence. Combining these two types of technologies will make your campaign team more responsive and agile.
Once you have the right software, you’ll need to address that data issue. Fortunately, Aristotle, a leader in political data, can assist.
Prepare for the AI Election Revolution with Aristotle
The implications for AI in the election process are huge. With that in mind, it is vital that your campaign team be prepared to embrace this dynamic technology. And to do that, you will need access to an abundance of high-quality, carefully vetted data.
At Aristotle, we have a wealth of data, including a National Consumer File with 250 million consumer files and a National Voter File with 235 million registered voters. You can partner with our team and leverage this data to power your new AI-driven campaign strategy and stay ahead of the competition. To learn more, connect with Aristotle.
