Oops it’s already happening: Using AI for political campaigns
An AI-generated ad by the RNC that forecasts a dystopian future if President Joe Biden wins reelection in 2024 should alert us to the uncharted territory we are all heading toward. Analysis..
Introduction
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly transformed various aspects of our lives, and its impact on political campaigns is no exception. While AI can play a significant role in enhancing political discourse, its misuse can lead to the spread of misinformation and confusion. A recent example is the Republican National Committee's (RNC) AI-generated ad predicting a dystopian future if President Joe Biden is reelected in 2024.
Misleading AI Predictions
The RNC ad in question employs AI to generate images and videos depicting a bleak and collapsed future if President Biden is reelected. While using AI to create visual content for a political advertisement is not inherently unethical, the issue arises when the ad's creators imply that the AI technology itself predicted this grim outcome. In reality, AI models like GPT-4 are not capable of predicting the future. They can only provide potential scenarios based on historical data and existing policy stances, which are by no means guaranteed to occur.
This is what ChatGPT-4 actually replied when I asked it the same question.
The AI answer feels like that of any reasonable person, left or right. Nothing remotely as gloomy as the GOP ad suggests.
Balancing creativity and transparency in AI-generated content
While AI-generated content has the potential to revolutionize political campaigns by reducing costs and increasing creative possibilities, it is essential to consider the ethical implications. Political campaigns must strike a balance between harnessing AI's capabilities and maintaining transparency about the nature and limitations of AI-generated content.
The emergency ahead: AI literacy and the role of the public
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, it is crucial for the public to be educated about the capabilities and limitations of AI technology. Understanding the difference between AI-generated content and AI's ability to predict outcomes can help voters make informed decisions.