Americans Skeptical of AI's Role in Election Information, Poll Finds

A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts has revealed widespread skepticism among Americans regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for obtaining accurate election information. The survey, carried out from July 29 to August 8, 2024, found that approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults lack confidence in AI-powered tools to provide reliable and factual information.

This distrust comes despite the increasing integration of AI into daily life. Jim Duggan, a 68-year-old political conservative from Huntsville, Alabama, exemplifies this dichotomy. While he uses ChatGPT regularly for business purposes, he remains wary of its application to political matters. Duggan stated, "I just don't think AI produces truth. Grammar and words, that's something that's concrete. Political thought, judgment, opinions aren't."

The skepticism extends to AI's role in the upcoming 2024 election. About 40% of respondents believe AI will make it more challenging to find accurate election information, while an equal proportion are uncertain about its impact. Only 16% think AI will facilitate easier access to factual election data.

Concerns about AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation have also emerged. Griffin Ryan, a 21-year-old Democrat from Texas studying at Tulane University, expressed worry about the potential for AI to create convincing fake videos of politicians. This apprehension is not unfounded, as evidenced by recent incidents of AI misuse in political contexts. For instance, AI-generated robocalls imitating President Biden's voice attempted to discourage New Hampshire primary voters in January 2024.

The poll also revealed a generational divide in media literacy and susceptibility to misinformation. Ryan noted that while his family is generally media-literate, some older relatives might be more vulnerable to false information during the election cycle.

Many Americans, like Bevellie Harris, a 71-year-old Democrat from Bakersfield, California, prefer traditional sources for election information. Harris relies on official government sources and candidate advertisements to form her opinions.

"About two-thirds of U.S. adults say they're not very or not at all confident that these tools provide reliable and factual information"

It's worth noting that AI has made significant strides in various fields. The global AI market was valued at $136.55 billion in 2022, and it's projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. However, the technology's rapid advancement has outpaced regulatory efforts. The U.S. government released its first AI Bill of Rights in 2022, while over 60 countries have adopted national AI strategies as of 2023.

As the 2024 election approaches, the challenge lies in balancing the potential benefits of AI with the need for accurate and trustworthy information. While AI continues to evolve, it appears that for now, many Americans prefer to rely on traditional sources for their election information.