OpenAI has released a report highlighting the increasing use of its platform for influencing democratic elections worldwide. According to the 54-page report, the company has disrupted over 20 operations and deceptive networks that attempted to use its models for spreading misinformation.
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, concerns about AI-generated content spreading misinformation are at an all-time high. With elections taking place in over 40 countries this year, the potential impact of AI on election-related misinformation is a significant issue.
Misinformation in elections is not a new phenomenon, with past instances of Russian actors spreading false content during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. In 2020, social networks were flooded with misinformation about Covid vaccines and election fraud.
Lawmakers are now focusing on the rise of generative AI, which has seen widespread adoption since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. OpenAI’s report highlights the range of election-related uses of AI, from simple content generation requests to complex efforts to analyze and reply to social media posts.
While some operations have used OpenAI’s products to generate election-related content, the majority of these posts have received little to no engagement. OpenAI has been quick to address any misuse of its tools, banning accounts and addressing covert operations within 24 hours.
Despite attempts to use AI for election-related misinformation, OpenAI notes that none of the operations were able to attract viral engagement or build sustained audiences. The company’s efforts to combat the misuse of its tools have been effective in preventing the spread of false information.
The report serves as a snapshot of the current trends in AI’s role in influencing democratic elections and aims to inform debate on the broader threat landscape. With the rise of AI-generated content, it is essential for platforms like OpenAI to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of misinformation during critical election periods.
