Brave New Ballot

Following a global wave of prominent elections in 2024, some experts argued that fears surrounding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in elections were overblown. The evidence, they argued, pointed to limited effectiveness of GenAI-driven efforts in swaying voters. 

But this early analysis of election data in the new artificial intelligence (AI) era should not be interpreted as a reason for reduced vigilance, for two primary reasons. First, the volume and pervasiveness of synthetic content are likely to increase in the near future. Second, the misuse of GenAI in political communications can affect democratic processes in ways beyond influencing who wins an election.

IFES is pleased to release Brave New Ballot: Generative AI in Election Campaigns and Other Political Communication, which provides an overview of recent GenAI applications in and around election campaigns and other forms of political communication around the globe, discusses factors likely to have an impact on their scale and success, and explores adverse ramifications for democracy. 

This report also outlines key challenges in the strategies available to address these problems – from regulatory constraints to socio-technical solutions – and discusses initial implications and recommendations for election authorities and other decision-makers.