AI Transforms Election Campaigns, Raising Concerns Over Voter Perception
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Expert Alaa Eghbariya explained that AI significantly speeds up and reduces the cost of political advertising, but raises concerns about "perception engineering" and voter manipulation. He noted that AI-generated content, even if recognized as fake, can still influence voter impressions through repetition. While Israel is behind other nations in using these tools, their adoption is growing in the Arab community. Eghbariya warned of broader AI risks like voice cloning and impersonation, stressing human accountability for its use.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- AI enables faster, cheaper political ads but risks manipulating voter perception, according to expert Alaa Eghbariya.
- AI can create fabricated scenes of candidates, influencing voter impressions even when recognized as fake.
- Distinguishing AI content from reality is difficult, and repeated exposure can solidify false perceptions.
- Israel lags in AI ad use compared to other nations, but the Arab community is adopting the technology.
- AI risks extend beyond ads to voice cloning and impersonation, with human accountability being key.
- Repeated AI messaging can still influence voters, even if they ultimately vote based on their beliefs.
Alaa Eghbariya, an expert in marketing and political campaign strategies, stated that while artificial intelligence (AI) allows for faster and cheaper production of political advertisements, focusing solely on these benefits can distract from the impact of synthetic content on voters. He noted that some AI-generated ads may not accurately represent Arab society or a candidate's known image.
Eghbariya warned that these technologies not only change how political ads are made but also affect the relationship between reality, perception, and voter trust. He highlighted the shift from message creation to "perception engineering," where AI can be used to fabricate scenes and images that create specific impressions of candidates, such as depicting them in aggressive or hesitant situations that never occurred. He stressed that repeated exposure to such fabricated content can solidify a particular mental image, even if the viewer knows the content is AI-generated.
Distinguishing between reality and synthetic content is challenging, even for marketing professionals, Eghbariya explained. The sheer volume and repetition of AI-generated messages can make them seem familiar and influence voters' impressions and emotions towards candidates, even after they realize the content is not real.
Comparing international trends, Eghbariya observed that Israel lags behind other countries in using these AI-driven advertisements. He cited their use in recent conflicts, like the one between Iran and the United States, as having influenced public opinion. He mentioned that some AI videos can be produced in as little as half an hour, and that the Arab community is also beginning to see the use of these tools in political campaigns.
While Eghbariya believes AI ads are not the sole determinant of voting decisions, as voters often align with their core beliefs, he cautioned that persistent, repeated messaging, even if artificial, can still shape voter perception of parties and candidates. He also warned that AI's risks extend beyond political ads, encompassing voice cloning, impersonation, and the creation of indistinguishable fake content. Eghbariya concluded by emphasizing human responsibility in developing and deploying AI, cautioning that misuse could lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable dangers.
