Anya Adebayo, ANYA

Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife

DOI : https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i12-65

Google Scholar Download Pdf
ABSTRACT

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in political campaigns has introduced significant advancements in voter engagement and campaign strategies, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. However, this development also raises complex ethical concerns that challenge the integrity of democratic processes. This study examines the implications of AI in political campaigns, focusing on its applications in micro-targeting, AI-generated content, and voter behavior analysis. Drawing on case studies from the Brexit referendum and U.S. presidential elections, the analysis highlights how AI has been leveraged to enhance campaign efficiency through data-driven targeting and personalized messaging. While these technologies have revolutionized political communication, they also present ethical challenges, including manipulation, privacy violations, and accountability. Findings indicate that AI-generated content, such as tailored ads and deepfakes, risks misleading voters and amplifying biases, thereby eroding trust in political messaging. Privacy concerns also emerge from the extensive use of voter data, often collected without explicit consent, raising questions about transparency and ethical boundaries. Additionally, the lack of accountability for AI-driven misinformation further undermines public confidence in electoral processes. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to ensure the responsible use of AI in political campaigns. By addressing these concerns, stakeholders can safeguard democratic values while harnessing the benefits of AI for transparent and equitable political engagement. This research contributes to ongoing debates about the role of AI in shaping modern political landscapes and emphasizes the imperative of ethical oversight.

KEYWORDS:

Campaigning, AI & Ethical Dilemma

REFERENCES
1) Akinrinola, O., Okoye, C.C., Ofodile, O.C., & Ugochukwu, C.E. (2024). Navigating and reviewing ethical dilemmas in AI development: Strategies for transparency, fairness, and accountability. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews.

2) Chowdhury, R. (2024). 1. AI-fuelled election campaigns are here - where are the rules?. Nature, doi: 10.1038/d41586-024-00995-9

3) Dias, J.A., Doca, H.H., & Silva, F.F. (2021). Bots, fake news, fake faces and deepfakes: automation, under the bias of dromology, as a sophisticated form of biopower to influence the democratic election process. Pensar - Revista de Ciências Jurídicas.

4) Foos, F. (2024). 4. The Use of AI by Election Campaigns. doi: 10.31219/osf.io/zm2r6

5) Grbeša, M. (2005). To What Extent and in What Ways do Election Campaigns Matter.

6) Haq, E., Zhu, Y., Hui, P., & Tyson, G. (2024). History in Making: Political Campaigns in the Era of Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content. Companion Proceedings of the ACM on Web Conference 2024.

7) Kane, T.B. (2019). 3. Artificial Intelligence in Politics: Establishing Ethics. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, doi: 10.1109/MTS.2019.2894474

8) Kumar, V., Rajan, B., Venkatesan, R., & Lecinski, J. (2019). Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Personalized Engagement Marketing. California Management Review, 61, 135 - 155.

9) LaChapelle, C & Tucker, C (2023). Generative AI in Political Advertising. Expert Brief- https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/generative-ai-political-advertising

10) Nazeer, M.Y. (2024). Algorithmic Conscience: An In-Depth Inquiry into Ethical Dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science.

11) Nickerson, D.W., & Rogers, T. (2014). Political Campaigns and Big Data. John F. Kennedy School of Government Faculty Research Working Paper Series.

12) Schippers, B. (2020). Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Politics. Political Insight, 11, 32 - 35.

13) Thapa, J. (2024). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Elections. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research.

14) Tomic, Z., Damnjanović, T., & Tomić, I. (2023). ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. South Eastern European Journal of Communication.

15) Viudes Fernández, F.J. (2023). Revolucionando la política: El papel omnipresente de la IA en la segmentación y el targeting de campañas modernas. Más Poder Local.

16) Wogu., Sanjay, Misra., Oluwakemi, D., Udoh., Benedict, C., Agoha., Muyiwa, Adeniyi, Sholarin., Ravin, Ahuja. (2020). 2. Artificial Intelligence Politicking and Human Rights Violations in UK’s Democracy: A Critical Appraisal of the Brexit Referendum. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-8297-4_49

Volume 07 Issue 12 December 2024