The Rise of Generative AI and Its Impact on Politics and Human Rights

Thursday - January 25 2024, 02:24 UTC - 10 months ago

Generative AI technology has advanced quickly, allowing for the creation of realistic deepfakes and AI-generated content. This has been used in political messaging and state propaganda. The use of micro-influencers is increasing, but there are concerns about transparency. Digital censorship is also a growing concern, with governments using technology to suppress dissent. It's important for us to closely monitor and address these issues to protect human rights and democracy.

As we enter into a new year, it's clear that technology will play an even greater role in shaping the political landscape and human rights issues around the world. One of the most notable advancements in technology is the rise of generative AI, also known as artificial intelligence that can create content without human input. This technology has advanced exponentially in recent years, allowing for the creation of highly realistic deepfakes and AI-generated content .

In some countries, generative AI is already being used by state media outlets to spread propaganda and misinformation. For example, Venezuelan state media outlets have used generative AI to create AI-generated videos of news anchors from a nonexistent international English-language channel. These videos were produced by Synthesia, a company that specializes in creating custom deepfakes. In the United States, there have also been instances of AI-manipulated videos and images of political leaders circulating on social media .

Another emerging trend in political messaging is the use of micro-influencers, meaning people with large but not huge followings who are likely influential at a local level. This strategy has been used in various campaigns, such as Michael Bloomberg's short-lived presidential campaign and the city of Minneapolis' plan to pay local influencers to promote peace during protests. The Biden administration has also used influencers to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination .

However, the use of micro-influencers in political messaging also raises questions about transparency and ethical practices. Currently, there are no clear rules on how influencers should disclose paid posts and indirect promotional material. The Federal Election Commission has drafted guidance on this issue, but it has yet to be adopted.Beyond political messaging, digital censorship is a growing concern that will continue to impact human rights .

In countries like Iran, extreme censorship has been used to suppress dissent during protests. In Ethiopia, there has been an ongoing partial internet blackout, which severely limits access to information and communication.As technology continues to advance, the issue of digital censorship and its impact on human rights will become even more crucial to address. Governments around the world are already using technology as a means of control and censorship, and it's important for us to closely monitor and address these actions .

On a personal note, this is my last Technocrat at MIT Technology Review as I will be leaving to pursue opportunities outside of journalism. I am grateful for the trust and support of my readers over the past year, and the opportunity to cover important stories on topics like police surveillance of Black Lives Matter protesters, the impact of technology on beauty standards for young girls, and the challenges of government technology .

Stories about how technology is changing our countries and communities have never been more vital. I encourage you to continue reading my colleagues at MIT Technology Review, who will bring their expertise, balance, and rigor to covering these important topics. And I also invite you to sign up for our other newsletters, such as The Algorithm on AI, The Spark on climate, The Checkup on biotech, and China Report on all things tech and China .

As we move further into the digital age, it's crucial for us to stay informed and advocate for the responsible use of technology to protect our human rights and democracy.