OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice his concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on future elections.
Since last year's introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT, AI has grown exponentially in many fields. Millions of people worldwide are now using the AI tool for various tasks.
The ChatGPT fever has also sparked an AI race amongst tech giants, with Google introducing its own chatbot, "Bard."
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO - JULY 11: CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman speaks to the media as he arrives at the Sun Valley Lodge for the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 11, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman Expressed Concerns About AI's Role It May Play in Elections
Sam Altman's tweets reflect his apprehensions about the emergence of AI-driven personalized persuasion and high-quality generated media, which he sees as potent tools for shaping public opinion.
Altman expressed his unease in a tweet, stating, "I am nervous about the impact AI will have on future elections (at least until everyone gets used to it). Personalized 1:1 persuasion, combined with high-quality generated media, is going to be a powerful force."
This sentiment underscores his concerns regarding the formidable influence that AI technologies could wield in influencing voter sentiments.
Experts Warn AI's Impact on Democratic Processes
Altman's tweets coincide with the escalating concerns surrounding the potential misuse of AI in the political arena. Experts are increasingly sounding the alarm about the potential threat posed by AI-enhanced images.
With significant elections scheduled in the UK and the US next year, there is a growing apprehension that these technologies could undermine the very foundation of democratic processes.
Wendy Hall, a computer science professor at the University of Southampton, stressed the need to prioritize AI-related risks in democratic systems, given the potential for AI-generated content to deceive voters.
"I think the use of digital technologies, including AI is a threat to our democratic processes. It should be top of the agenda on the AI risk register with two major elections - in the UK and the US - looming large next year," Hall told The Guardian.
Professor Faten Ghosn, the head of the government department at the University of Essex, has urged politicians to be transparent about using manipulated images and suggested implementing regulations requiring AI-generated content in political ads to be clearly marked.
According to Ghosn, such measures could play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. The concerns that Sam Altman and other experts raised contribute to the ongoing discourse on the effective regulation of AI.
Darren Jones, the Labour chair of the business select committee, questioned the ability to identify deepfake photos and called for measures to address the issue before the next election.
Altman further noted that his company is open to hearing ideas to stop AI from putting elections at risk. He said: "Although not a complete solution, raising awareness of it is better than nothing. We are curious to hear ideas, and will have some events soon to discuss more."
AI chatbots like ChatGPT tend to hallucinate or make things up that can confuse people who assume their responses contain accurate and reliable information.
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