Readers’ Voice

Democracy in the
Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping our reality in ways we never imagined in this rapidly evolving world. While AI pres­ents incredible opportunities for progress, it also brings with it new challenges, particularly in the realm of political propaganda. Democracies worldwide are grap­pling with the proliferation of AI-driven tools.
The utilisation of AI-driven tools in political campaigns has ushered in a new age of political propaganda. The ability to create hyper-realistic, yet entirely fabricated, audio and visual content through deepfakes raises significant concerns. In the context of elections, deepfakes have the potential to fabricate statements, manipulate speeches, and even create entirely false narratives about candidates and parties. This poses a serious threat to the integrity of democratic processes and the forma­tion of public opinion.
To address the growing threat of AI-driven disinformation, it is imperative for authorities, tech companies, and civil society to collaborate and develop a comprehensive strategy. This multi­faceted approach should focus on enhancing digital literacy, imple­menting stringent content mod­eration policies, and fostering an informed electorate. By empow­ering individuals with the skills to critically evaluate information and discern truth from falsehood, we can mitigate the impact of AI-generated disinformation.
Digital literacy plays a vital role in equipping individuals with the necessary tools to navigate the digital landscape. Efforts should be made to promote digital literacy among all segments of society, with a particular focus on margin­alised communities. By providing accessible and comprehensive training programs, we can empower individuals to critically analyse information, identify disinforma­tion, and make informed decisions. This will not only help combat the spread of AI-generated propagan­da but also foster a more engaged and resilient electorate.
In the age of AI, safeguarding democracy from the misuse of technology is of paramount importance. The potential for AI-driven disinformation to manipulate public opinion and undermine the integrity of elections cannot be ig­nored. Through collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector, we can de­velop strategies that enhance digital literacy, implement stringent content moderation policies, and foster an informed electorate. By taking proactive measures to address the challenges posed by AI-driven political propaganda, we can protect the core principles of democracy and ensure a more re­silient and vigilant society.

NASIR Ahmed
Uttara