Advancements in AI technology and the changing information environment played a significant role in the 2024 election, according to elections and democracy expert Tim Harper. Harper warned of the increasing influence of misinformation, which became evident in the lead-up to the election with false claims and deep fake videos spread by Russian misinformation campaigns. AI also played a role in attempted voter suppression by domestic parties, using databases like EagleAI to challenge ballots of suspicious voters.
Harper noted a rollback of enforcement of misinformation policies on social media platforms, as many feared being seen as influencing the election. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube began allowing political advertisements that perpetuated election denial. Additionally, Discord and Twitch faced challenges in preventing mass disinformation during the election cycle.
The influence of podcasters and social media influencers also shaped political opinions of followers, often under murky ethical guidelines. Influencers have been accused of accepting under-the-table payments and not disclosing agreements to viewers. The Federal Election Commission ruled that while campaigns must disclose spending to influencers, influencers do not have to disclose payments to their audience.
Overall, Harper described the 2024 election as potentially being known as the “influencer election” due to the significant role social influencers played in shaping political opinions. The importance of transparency and ethical guidelines in disseminating information was highlighted as a key concern in the evolving information environment.
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