The Role of AI in Shaping Political Campaigns
As Morocco approaches its legislative elections, there is growing interest in how digital transformations, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will influence the electoral campaigns. These elections hold special significance as they are the first national polls to occur following the widespread implementation of AI applications. This situation raises critical questions regarding the extent to which this technology can be employed in political competition, balancing its potential to enhance communication with voters against the risks of generating misleading content and manipulating images and videos, which could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Political Perspectives on AI Utilization
Ahmed Touizi, the head of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in the House of Representatives, highlighted that while AI offers both positive and negative dimensions, the negative applications appear to dominate at present. He described AI as a rapid and powerful technological advancement that could become "dangerous" if not regulated properly, despite its potential benefits in various fields. Touizi emphasized that Moroccan lawmakers recognized the importance of this issue early on, enacting legal provisions to regulate AI's use in content creation. He pointed out that one of the most troubling uses of AI today involves the distortion of individuals' images through voice manipulation and fabricated statements.
When asked about the potential use of AI in PAM's electoral campaigns, Touizi dismissed the idea, asserting that this technology is predominantly used to disseminate unrealistic and illegal representations. He reiterated that current applications of AI in communication remain largely negative, cautioning against its potential to misrepresent facts during election campaigns. For example, he noted the unethical practice of altering an image of a political gathering attended by fifty people to appear as if a thousand had participated. He stated, "In Morocco, we have not yet reached a stage where AI is being positively employed," indicating that even advertising videos occasionally employing this technology are not essential for their campaign strategy.
On the other hand, Rashid Hamouni, head of the Progress and Socialism Party in the House of Representatives, contended that the use of AI is an undeniable reality that is expected to grow rapidly in the future across various domains, including electoral competition. He acknowledged that while the inclusion of AI-related provisions in diverse legislation is not inherently negative, it does not reflect the necessary awareness at the official and societal levels regarding the sensitive nature of AI and its dual potential for positive and negative applications. Hamouni pointed out that his party has been proactive in organizing intellectual, political, and scientific seminars on AI, concluding that AI presents immense opportunities for humanity while also carrying significant risks that necessitate proper regulation and oversight.
Moreover, he urged political actors to consider the implications of digitization, AI, and cybersecurity from legal, ethical, economic, and democratic perspectives, emphasizing the need to safeguard personal data and privacy, along with individual and collective rights. He also highlighted the importance of new production and consumption values and their impact on lifestyle changes. Notably, the new regulatory law for the House of Representatives now includes a provision that imposes severe penalties for anyone who broadcasts or distributes audio or visual material of a person without their consent, as well as for disseminating false news or claims to harm the private life of voters or candidates through any means, including social media or AI tools.
Hamouni concluded that electoral campaigns are characterized by a coexistence of various communication methods, from direct voter engagement to media outreach and social media interactions. He praised the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) for asserting that the use of AI by competitors must not compromise truth, privacy, or lead to manipulation and deceit in fabricating a false reality. HACA's recent decision ensures that any electoral content generated by AI must be clearly and permanently tagged to indicate its AI origins, thus promoting transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
As reported by hespress.com.
