The AI sleeper issue that could sway Australian elections
Research suggests that AI-powered chatbots can influence voter preferences by engaging in persuasive political conversations. With elections approaching, there is growing concern that AI could sway results in marginal seats where only a few hundred votes determine the outcome.
Why it matters
It identifies a new, subtle vector for election interference that bypasses traditional social media moderation and advertising regulations.
Victoria goes to the polls on November 28 in its first election since the growth of AI. ( ABC News )
Link copied Share Share article At the last federal election, Tim Wilson won back the seat of Goldstein by 175 votes. The LNP held Longman by 269 votes, and in Bradfield, 26 votes determined who went to Canberra.
Those numbers gave the competing candidates an extraordinary white-knuckle ride.
We've all heard about the risk of deepfakes, misinformation campaigns and foreign interference meddling in elections and compromising democracy, but what if the more seismic change at the next election isn't just the usual flood of misleading material on social media?
A study published in Nature in December tested voters during elections in the United States, Canada and Poland. Participants had conversations with AI chatbots instructed to advocate for particular candidates.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in