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Essays: Indian Election Was Awash in Deepfakes—but AI Was a Net Positive for Democracy - Schneier on Security

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As India concluded the world’s largest election on June 5, 2024, with over 640 million votes counted, observers could assess how the various parties and factions used artificial intelligence technologies—and what lessons that holds for the rest of the world. The campaigns made extensive use of AI, including deepfake impersonations of candidates, celebrities and dead politicians. By some estimates, millions of Indian voters viewed deepfakes. But, despite fears of widespread disinformation, for the most part the campaigns, candidates and activists used AI constructively in the election. They used AI for typical political activities, including mudslinging, but primarily to better connect with voters. Political parties in India spent an estimated US$50 million on authorized AI-generated content for targeted communication with their constituencies this election cycle. And it was largely successful. Indian political strategists have long recognized the influence of personality and emotion on

Indian Election Was Awash in Deepfakes—but AI Was a Net Positive for Democracy Vandinika Shukla and Bruce Schneier The Conversation June 7, 2024 This essay also appeared in Channel News Asia and PBS News . As India concluded the world’s largest election on June 5, 2024, with over 640 million votes counted, observers could assess how the various parties and factions used artificial intelligence technologies—and what lessons that holds for the rest of the world. The campaigns made extensive use of AI, including deepfake impersonations of candidates, celebrities and dead politicians.

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