Deepfakes swirl in S. Korea ahead of general elections
Korea HeraldMar 01
Meta: Only 'Modest' AI Impact on World Elections
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Above: The Meta Platforms, Inc. logo appears on the screen of a smartphone in Reno, US, on Dec. 2, 2024. Image copyright: Jaque Silva/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
Social media company Meta has reported that artificial intelligence-generated content related to elections, politics, and social topics accounted for less than 1% of fact-checked misinformation on its platforms including Facebook and Instagram.
In a blog post on Tuesday, Global Affairs chief Nick Clegg claimed that, in 2024, Meta tracked elections in the US, EU, UK, India, Mexico, and Brazil among others — deploying content policy updates, an updated penalties system, and voting alert notifications.
The Spin
Narrative A
The world’s democratic elections in 2024 were overshadowed by dire warnings of AI-driven interference, from deepfakes to microtargeted manipulation. Evidently, these fears were exaggerated. While AI’s misuse warrants vigilance, the obsession with its alleged dangers risks overshadowing other, far deeper threats to democracy.
Narrative B
While AI's impact on recent elections may have been limited, its growing use — ranging from deceptive deepfakes to creative campaign tools — underscores a need for vigilance. Policymakers must safeguard systems without stifling legitimate expression. Transparency, rapid responses, and robust oversight are key, and complacency is not an option.
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