With the Lok Sabha elections 2024 approaching in seven phases, political parties are ramping up efforts to appeal to voters. However, cybersecurity experts are raising alarms about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology to sway public opinion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently discussed the dangers of deepfake videos with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, emphasizing the need for caution in the era of AI. He expressed concerns about the deceptive nature of deepfake videos, highlighting the importance of establishing global guidelines for their use.
Mohan Subrahmanya, Country Leader at Insight – India, voiced concerns about the impact of AI technologies like deepfake videos and voice cloning on the integrity of the electoral process during election season. He emphasized the necessity for collaboration between the government, cybersecurity experts, and technology providers to safeguard democratic institutions from potential AI threats.
Pawan Prabhat, co-founder of ShortHills AI, pointed out that targeted deep fakes of political leaders are challenging to distinguish as true or false and can significantly influence public perception, potentially affecting election outcomes. He stressed the importance of regular security testing, advanced detection technology, and public education initiatives to combat deepfake threats.
Prabhat suggested utilizing tools and knowledge provided by platforms like Detect Deepfakes by the MIT Media Lab to identify common visual cues that indicate AI-generated content. However, he noted the lack of comprehensive legislation addressing deepfake content in India, unlike in the United States.
As India gears up for the elections, concerns remain about the potential impact of personalized deepfake videos or audios on specific voter groups. With all 543 constituencies going to polls in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process is paramount.
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