The 2024 U.S. election represented a historic milestone, unfolding in an era shaped by the widespread accessibility of generative artificial intelligence. For the first time, AI moved from being a behind-the-scenes tool to a prominent force influencing how campaigns connected with voters, how people consumed information, and how misinformation proliferated. As the election concludes, one thing is certain: AI may not have defined the outcome, but its impact was undeniable.
AI has revolutionized political campaigns by enabling more personalized and efficient voter engagement. With generative AI, strategists can create highly targeted outreach tailored to specific demographics. Tools like BattleGroundAI and Grow Progress allow campaigns to produce hundreds of customized messages, reaching diverse groups—rural farmers, urban professionals, veterans—on a large scale. This technology facilitates relatable and impactful communication, often in multiple languages, making political messaging more inclusive and accessible than ever before.
AI has also broken new ground in empowering voters with disabilities and non-English speakers. Tools like text-to-speech and instant translation services have enabled campaigns to connect with communities that traditional outreach methods often overlooked. Some campaigns have even piloted AI-driven innovations, such as sign language video generation and simplified policy summaries, paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible future in civic engagement.
Beyond campaign efforts, AI has emerged as a valuable guide for voters navigating today’s overwhelming flow of information. Experimental chatbots are offering nonpartisan, straightforward answers to complex questions, while organizations like The Carter Center are leveraging AI to detect and flag disinformation in real time. These advancements signal a potential future where voters can depend on "reliable" AI tools to make well-informed decisions with confidence.
The election underscored the alarming ways AI can be misused.
- Deepfake technology became a powerful weapon, with fake robocalls imitating President Biden’s voice and AI-generated images aimed at tarnishing opponents’ reputations. A flood of synthetic media—ranging from satirical content to outright lies—blurred the line between truth and deception. These deepfakes didn’t just mislead the public; they sowed distrust. Even more troubling, the existence of such technology allowed bad actors to dismiss real scandals as fabrications, a phenomenon known as the "liar’s dividend."
- Equally concerning was the rise of AI-powered manipulative microtargeting. Advanced algorithms delivered highly personalized messages designed to exploit individuals’ fears, biases, and online behaviour. False or misleading narratives were tailored to influence emotions, often without the audience realizing it. This covert strategy not only distorted public discourse but further fragmented the idea of a shared reality.
- Foreign interference also evolved in 2024, with Russian operatives using AI to impersonate American news outlets and spread division. While the impact was mitigated somewhat by platform safeguards and content moderation efforts, it highlighted the increasing sophistication and danger of digital propaganda campaigns.
As AI capabilities evolve, so too must our defences.
As AI technology advances, so must our strategies to counteract its misuse.
The 2024 election cycle brought notable improvements, including fact-checking war rooms, policy updates from platforms like Facebook and TikTok, and swift interventions by agencies such as the FCC. However, these efforts often struggled to keep pace with the rapid spread of misinformation. Detecting deepfakes remains a relentless challenge, with no universal standard yet established for identifying AI-generated content.
Safeguarding future elections requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. Political campaigns must prioritize ethical AI practices by embracing transparency and clearly labeling AI-generated content. Governments need to implement and enforce regulations that curb abuse while safeguarding free speech. Social platforms must enhance their moderation tools and work together to develop standardized detection protocols. Equally important, the public must be empowered through education initiatives that foster digital literacy and equip voters to recognize and resist manipulation.
AI is shaping the future of politics, and its impact is here to stay. Whether it informs or misleads, includes or marginalizes, depends solely on how we choose to use it. The 2024 election might have been just a preview, but the stakes will only continue to rise. Now is the moment to act—ensuring AI becomes a tool that upholds democracy, rather than undermines it.
Sources: Pew Research Center (2024), Time Magazine (2024), Emory University – "AI and Elections" Feature (2024), The Carter Center – "Digital Threats to Democracy" Project, Washington Post (2023), University of Chicago Harris Policy Review, London School of Economics Public Policy Review.
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