The 2024 US Election: Navigating Disinformation in the Age of AI
The 2024 US presidential election, marked by a historic candidate switch for the Democrats with Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden and assassination attempts against Republican candidate Donald Trump, presented a unique landscape for the spread of disinformation. While many anticipated a surge of AI-generated deepfakes, the reality has been different. The disinformation landscape has been dominated by "cheap fakes" – easily manipulated images, misleading headlines, and out-of-context content – proving remarkably effective in spreading false narratives. Despite the absence of a widespread deepfake onslaught, AI has played a role in generating manipulated videos and images, particularly targeting Harris with fabricated depictions ranging from communist attire to compromising situations. Trump has also been targeted, with AI-generated images portraying him in various fabricated scenarios. This election underscores the persistent power of readily accessible manipulation techniques over the more technically demanding creation of deepfakes.
The Persistent Threat of Disinformation Narratives
Despite the unexpected absence of a deepfake deluge, the 2024 election cycle witnessed the resurgence of ten recurring disinformation narratives identified in previous election cycles across Latin America and North America. These narratives range from allegations of electoral irregularities and voter fraud to misinformation campaigns aimed at suppressing voter turnout. A dominant theme in 2024 has been the false narrative of ineligible voters participating in the election, specifically targeting undocumented immigrants. This narrative, frequently amplified by Trump, Vance, and other Republican figures, falsely alleges that immigrants are entering the country to register and vote illegally, sometimes with fabricated claims of government-sponsored travel and changes in immigration laws. This narrative echoes the "Big Lie" of 2020, which was widely discredited by courts across the nation. Despite these legal rebukes, the narrative continues to resonate and spread, demonstrating the enduring power of disinformation even when factually debunked.
Combating Disinformation with Innovative Tools: Electopedia and Electobot
To counter the pervasive disinformation and empower voters, particularly within the Spanish-speaking Latino community, Factchequeado has developed two innovative tools: Electopedia and Electobot. Electopedia is a bilingual (English and Spanish) online resource providing comprehensive information about the US electoral process, including voter registration, voting procedures, candidate information, and fact-checks of circulating claims. It aims to preemptively debunk misinformation and fill information gaps, enabling voters to make informed decisions and avoid manipulation. Electobot, a Spanish-language chatbot on WhatsApp, provides instant answers to election-related queries, offering verified information about candidates and their statements. Leveraging the popularity of WhatsApp within the Latino community, Electobot offers a readily accessible platform for accurate information dissemination and combats the spread of false narratives in real-time.
The Role of Social Media Platforms and the Future of Disinformation
Social media platforms continue to be the primary vectors for disinformation dissemination. While these platforms invest heavily in developing AI-powered tools for profit, they have been criticized for inadequately addressing the proliferation of disinformation and the erosion of trust it engenders. The focus on profit over platform integrity creates an environment conducive to the spread of manipulated content, highlighting a critical challenge in the fight against disinformation. While the anticipated AI-driven disinformation explosion hasn’t materialized yet, the potential remains, particularly as the election approaches. The relatively low cost and effectiveness of "cheap fakes" have, thus far, proven sufficient for disinformation actors. However, the possibility of a surge in more sophisticated AI-generated manipulations, including deepfakes, cannot be discounted. Constant vigilance and proactive measures remain crucial to combat the evolving threat of disinformation.
The Gendered Dimension of Disinformation
The 2024 election has revealed a concerning trend of increased disinformation targeting female candidates. Kamala Harris has been subjected to a disproportionate volume of AI-generated false and manipulated content, highlighting the gendered dimension of online harassment and disinformation campaigns. This targeted harassment underscores the need for stronger protections for female candidates and greater efforts to address the online abuse and misrepresentation they face. The intersection of disinformation and sexism poses a significant challenge to democratic processes and requires concerted efforts to mitigate its impact.
The Importance of Continued Vigilance
While the anticipated AI-driven disinformation surge has not yet occurred, the threat remains potent. The effectiveness of "cheap fakes" has thus far satisfied the needs of disinformation actors. However, the possibility of an escalation to more sophisticated AI-generated manipulations, including deepfakes and audio manipulations, should not be dismissed. Continuous monitoring, fact-checking, and media literacy initiatives are crucial to counter the evolving tactics of disinformation campaigns and protect the integrity of the electoral process. The development and deployment of tools like Electopedia and Electobot represent vital steps towards empowering voters with accurate information and mitigating the harmful effects of disinformation. The fight against disinformation requires constant vigilance, proactive measures, and a collective commitment to protecting the truth.
