AI Disinformation Had No Impact On 2024 European Elections, Report Finds

AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes had no impact on the results of the 2024 UK, European Union (EU), and French elections, according to a new report by the Centre for Election Technology and Security (CETaS).

Despite widespread concerns about AI manipulation, the study found that most AI-enabled disinformation reinforced existing political beliefs rather than swaying undecided voters.

Nevertheless, the report raises concerns over the broader consequences of AI use, especially regarding the ethical challenges it presents in democratic processes.

The report identified 16 instances of AI-fueled viral disinformation in the UK election, and 11 cases during the EU and French elections. Most of these cases, the study argues, merely reinforced pre-existing political views.

However, the aftermath of these AI incidents revealed a pattern of misinformation. Many people were also confused about whether AI-generated content was real, which damaged trust in online sources.

The report states that some politicians used AI in campaign ads without proper labeling, encouraging dishonest election practices.

In another finding, the report notes that the rise of AI-generated satire, often mistaken for real content, further misled voters, revealing a new type of risk to election integrity.

The report highlighted the role of both domestic actors and foreign interference in spreading AI-driven misinformation. However, it emphasized that traditional methods, like bot-driven astroturfing and disinformation spread by human influencers, had a far greater impact on voters than AI content.

While the influence of AI was minor in terms of election results, CETaS warns of the growing risks as AI technology becomes more accessible.

The report calls for legal and regulatory bodies to address these challenges, proposing the need to balance free speech with combating AI-driven disinformation. It also stresses the importance of clear labeling of AI-generated political content to prevent unethical campaigning practices.

The final report from CETaS, due in November 2024, will focus on AI’s role in the U.S. election and offer long-term recommendations to protect democratic processes from AI-related threats.

The briefing concludes by acknowledging the potential positive applications of AI. The report claims that AI provided a platform to strengthen the connection between voters and political candidates via synthetic online personas.

Additionally, generative AI assisted fact-checkers in prioritizing misleading claims made by candidates, helping them determine which ones needed urgent attention.