As India gears up for its largest elections yet, a concerning trend has emerged – the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate and deceive voters. Both major political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, have been utilizing deepfake technology to influence public opinion and gain an edge in the upcoming elections.
Deepfakes, which are AI-generated or manipulated media, have become a tool for political campaigns in India. The BJP, known for its technological prowess, has been at the forefront of using illusions to sway voters. In 2014, the party used 3D hologram projections of its leader, Narendra Modi, to simultaneously campaign in multiple locations. This strategy was highly effective in securing Modi’s victory.
However, the use of deepfakes takes manipulation to a whole new level. In 2020, Manoj Tiwari, a BJP member of parliament, became one of the world’s first politicians to use deepfakes for campaigning. He addressed voters in three different languages, using AI to generate his voice and alter his expressions and lip movements. The videos were so convincing that it was nearly impossible to detect their falsity.
The Congress party, too, has embraced AI for its campaign strategies. During the state elections in Telangana, the party shared a deepfake video on social media that showed a leader from the ruling party endorsing the Congress. The video went viral and was viewed over 500,000 times before it was revealed to be fake. This incident highlights the potential harm that AI-generated media can cause during elections.
The availability and affordability of AI tools have made it easier for political parties to employ deepfakes. Some tools are even available for as little as 10 cents per video. As a result, consultants and campaign managers expect the use of deepfakes to increase exponentially in the 2024 elections.
While some argue that politics is about creating perception, the use of AI to manipulate voters is a dangerous tactic that undermines the integrity of the electoral process. Deepfakes can spread false information, distort facts, and mislead voters. It becomes increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between real and fake content, which can ultimately sway election outcomes.
The Indian government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) need to take swift action to address this issue. Currently, Indian laws do not clearly define deepfakes, making it challenging to prosecute those responsible for creating and disseminating them. The ECI must update its regulations to keep up with the evolving nature of political campaigns and implement real-time moderation of deepfakes to minimize their impact on democracy.
Major tech companies also have a role to play in combating deepfakes. They need to take proactive measures to detect and remove AI-generated or altered content that simulates real individuals. However, relying solely on tech companies to regulate manipulative content raises questions about the government’s commitment to tackling this issue.
India’s upcoming elections are a crucial moment for democracy in the country. The spread of deepfakes threatens to undermine the electoral process and erode public trust. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including the government, the ECI, and tech companies, work together to address this growing threat and ensure the integrity of India’s democracy.
