The Role of Digital Transformations in Political Campaigns
As Morocco approaches its legislative elections, attention is increasingly focused on how digital transformations, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will shape the electoral landscape. This election holds special significance as it marks the first national polls conducted following the widespread adoption of AI applications. This situation raises critical questions regarding the extent to which this technology can be utilized in political competition. While there are opportunities to leverage AI for enhancing communication with voters, there are also concerns about its potential for creating misleading content or manipulating images and videos, which could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process.
Political Readiness for AI Integration
In this context, the readiness of political actors to embrace these technologies is under scrutiny. Will future electoral campaigns prominently feature AI, or will they remain anchored in traditional methods? Ahmed Touizi, the head of the Authenticity and Modernity Party's parliamentary group, emphasized the dual nature of AI, which encompasses both positive and negative aspects. He noted that negative uses currently dominate the landscape, describing AI as a rapid and powerful technological advancement that could become 'devastating' without proper regulations governing its application. He acknowledged the potential benefits of AI across various fields but expressed concern over its misuse, particularly in distorting individuals' images through voice manipulation or misattributing statements.
Regarding the potential use of AI in campaigns for the Authenticity and Modernity Party, Touizi dismissed the idea, explaining that such technology is often employed to disseminate unrealistic and illegal imagery. He reiterated that the current applications of AI in communications predominantly reflect negative uses, warning against its exploitation to misrepresent individuals or mislead public opinion. He provided an example of how AI could be misused to exaggerate attendance figures at political gatherings, branding such practices as unethical and unrepresentative of reality. Touizi concluded that Morocco has not yet reached a stage where AI is used positively in political contexts, asserting that even promotional videos sometimes resorting to AI are unnecessary. He stated, 'We will use standard videos; we do not need AI,' emphasizing that reliance on AI should only arise in situations demanding speed, while reaffirming that the Authenticity and Modernity Party will focus on realistic communication strategies.
Conversely, Rashid Hamouni, head of the Progressive and Socialist Party's parliamentary group, argued that the integration of AI into political dynamics is inevitable and will accelerate in the future, both in electoral competition and other sectors. He pointed out that embedding fragmented provisions regarding AI in various legislative areas is not inherently negative; however, it fails to reflect the necessary official and societal awareness of the sensitivities surrounding AI, along with its positive and negative applications. Hamouni noted that his party was among the first to organize intellectual, political, and scientific forums on AI, leading to insights that AI presents vast opportunities for humanity while simultaneously posing significant risks across multiple levels. This reality necessitates a regulatory framework for AI to harness its positives while mitigating its negatives.
Hamouni further urged consideration of a comprehensive and integrated approach to digitization, AI, and cybersecurity from legislative, ethical, economic, legal, and democratic perspectives. He highlighted the importance of protecting data and personal privacy, as well as addressing rights and freedoms, individual and collective ethics, the added financial value of the digital industry, and the evolving patterns and values of production and consumption. He also mentioned that the new organizational law for the House of Representatives now includes a provision that imposes severe penalties for anyone who broadcasts or distributes compositions of a person's statements or images without their consent, or spreads false news, claims, or fabricated documents intended to harm the private lives of voters or candidates through any medium, including social networks or AI platforms.
In conclusion, Hamouni remarked that the election campaign period is characterized by a coexistence of various communication methods, ranging from direct voter engagement, media communication, to social media interaction, now enhanced by the new potential of AI. He praised the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) for its decision that the use of AI by competitors should not compromise truthfulness, privacy, or lead to deception and the creation of false realities. Notably, HACA's directive emphasizes the prohibition of broadcasting deceptive electoral content generated by AI that may mislead the public or undermine the integrity of democratic discourse, mandating that all AI-generated content for educational or interpretive purposes must be accompanied by a clear, permanent label indicating the involvement of AI.
As reported by hespress.com.
