Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE introduction of ChatGPT last Nov. 30, 2022, has been disruptive, drawing the attention not only of experts but ordinary users. Its writing ability is quite impressive as it is able to generate human-like text.
ChatGPT relies on information that is generally available in cyberspace, and it may just regurgitate available information in composing its response to queries. At its current state, ChatGPT is unable to distinguish factual information from misinformation. It may thus present text that contains both classes of information that it finds in cyberspace.
ChatGPT is an improved version of chatbots as it is able to carry on conversations. Earlier versions of chatbots responded with pre-defined responses to certain queries with embedded keywords that are paired to possible scripted responses in a list of possible responses. Chatbots have since improved with developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
ChatGPT is one of a number of similar applications that have recently emerged in the market, and these applications may further change our way of doing things as the internet has done.
ChatGPT, for instance, may be used to reshape electoral processes from voter education to voting itself or how candidates and political parties will engage voters.
Election management bodies like our very own Commission on Elections (Comelec) must make sure that qualified citizens are well-informed of their rights as voters, starting with a campaign to train citizens about electoral processes.
ChatGPT may be used to make voter education more accessible through chat-based interactions, handling various topics such as voter registration procedures and voting procedures, and providing key information about candidates, political parties, the roles and functions of the various elective posts, voting centers and polling place assignments, election procedures, and various other information during the election period.
It is not a farfetched idea that ChatGPT may be used for language translation as it may be trained to learn local languages to make information available in the vernacular.
How can candidates use ChatGPT in their campaign operations?
Using AI-powered tools, political parties and candidates can start by assessing voter sentiments and concerns that will allow them to formulate campaign messages that are specifically targeted to various groups of voters.
ChatGPT and similar applications may be leveraged by candidates in their campaign activities the way candidates have leveraged various social media platforms. But rather than developing social media posts like message cards or short-form videos that feature candidates performing before potential voters, candidates may use ChatGPT to engage voters in a conversational mode, addressing issues that resonate with voters.
While ChatGPT and similar AI models offer benefits in reshaping electoral processes, they may also be used in a manner that may be detrimental to the electoral process and the voters.
The country witnessed the proliferation of troll armies in past elections. Acting at the behest of campaign strategists and propagandists, troll armies abused social media to spread information that was favorable to certain candidates or detrimental to others.
ChatGPT may be weaponized by campaign strategists and propagandists. ChatGPT still relies on input prompts that may highlight misinformation or negative information. Generating messages will thus be faster with the use of ChatGPT and similar applications. The negative information or misinformation may be disseminated through social media by automating likes and sharing.
ChatGPT is only one of the tools available in the AI arsenal that may be used to reshape elections, a challenge that the Comelec cannot ignore. The poll body must look into how the use of AI can impact electoral processes and elections in general and formulate a framework for its use in elections.
Of primary importance is the ethical use of AI in our elections. The poll body must ensure that election stakeholders are fully informed of the use of AI in electoral processes. It must require political parties, candidates and election stakeholders, if using AI in their election campaign activities, to use it fairly. Fair use of AI must be clearly defined.
Using AI in campaign activities would certainly be an advantage as campaign strategists and propagandists are able to draw insights by collecting data on voter behavior. The poll body must require any entity to adhere to personal data protection laws and regulations as they collect the personal data of election stakeholders.
Digital, by default, is a threat to inclusivity and participation in elections and must be avoided at all costs. While the use of technology has been widespread, there are still segments of the population with little or no access to technology. Alternatives must be provided for these segments.
Cybersecurity is a major issue with technology. Cybersecurity of networks, systems and applications must be addressed at the outset and must be part of the network, systems and applications design considerations. AI may actually enhance cybersecurity as it may enable speedy identification of network, system, and application vulnerabilities and formulation of security measures that may be implemented.
Employ AI for fact-checking purposes. As discussed earlier, misinformation can be easily generated with the use of AI tools like ChatGPT and similar applications. AI-powered fact-checking mechanisms can help identify misinformation and prevent its spread.
These are some of the factors that may be considered in developing a framework for the use of AI in electoral processes. To ensure that the integrity of electoral processes is protected and, in turn, maintains public trust and confidence in elections, all stakeholders must be required to adhere to ethical principles on the use of AI.