AI likely impacted the 2024 election, though not in the ways many expected

The 2024 U.S. election marked a significant shift in how artificial intelligence influenced political discourse, with AI-generated content serving more as a tool for emotional messaging than direct disinformation.

The evolving landscape of AI in politics: The 2024 election cycle witnessed widespread use of AI-generated imagery and videos, but not in the ways many experts had initially feared.

• Rather than creating convincing deepfakes to deceive voters, AI was primarily used to create obvious satirical content and political propaganda
• Notable examples included images of Donald Trump with Superman-like features and Kamala Harris in symbolic scenarios with communist imagery
• The technology became a powerful medium for expressing political beliefs and rallying supporters through visual messaging

Key findings from research: A team of political scientists at Purdue University tracked AI-generated political content throughout the election cycle, revealing surprising patterns in its usage and impact.

• The majority of AI-generated content was intended for entertainment and satire rather than deliberate misinformation
• High-profile figures, including Trump and Elon Musk, shared AI-generated content that garnered hundreds of millions of views
• The content was typically clearly identifiable as AI-generated and not presented as factual evidence

Impact on political discourse: While the AI-generated content may have appeared harmless, experts suggest it served as a powerful tool for spreading political messages and influencing public opinion.

• AI-generated imagery helped reinforce existing political narratives and biases
• The technology provided a low-cost, efficient way to produce targeted propaganda
• Some content may have contributed to the radicalization of viewers already predisposed to extreme viewpoints

Technical challenges and concerns: The election highlighted both the current limitations and potential future risks of AI in political contexts.

• The FBI identified several fake videos attempting to cast doubt on election procedures
• Foreign adversaries utilized AI to enhance existing disinformation strategies
• Tracking AI-generated content in local races and private messaging groups proved particularly challenging

Broader implications for democracy: AI’s role in the 2024 election revealed a fundamental shift in how political messages are communicated and received in the digital age.

• Users on major social media platforms struggled to accurately identify AI-generated content, correctly assessing authenticity only about half the time
• The technology has contributed to a growing skepticism about the veracity of all information
• AI-generated content has become a powerful tool for emotional messaging rather than factual persuasion

Looking beyond facts: The emergence of AI as a primary medium for political expression reflects a deeper transformation in how Americans engage with information and truth.

• The focus has shifted from factual accuracy to emotional resonance and visual impact
• Political figures and supporters increasingly use AI to create personalized, emotionally charged content
• The technology’s ability to generate instant, targeted visual messaging has made it a preferred tool for political communication

Evolving implications: The 2024 election suggests that AI’s influence on democracy may be more nuanced and potentially more profound than initially anticipated, shifting from direct deception to emotional manipulation and the further erosion of shared reality.