Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) allows that political organisations and people with no ties to political parties could use AI-generated content to mislead potential voters and influence their opinions during the pre-election period, BNN was informed by KNAB.
KNAB invites residents to critically evaluate information available in public space and verify the authenticity of information.
The identified risks are based on precedents observed in US, Poland, Slovakia and other countries, where various AI-tools were used in the context of elections, KNAB explains.
“There is a possibility AI tools could be used during the pre-election period before the upcoming European Parliament elections. AI tools offer a wide range of content generation possibilities. The most common manipulations during the pre-election campaign period include synthesizing the voice of candidates or including portraits in images or video footage imitating inaccurate conversations or situations,” KNAB report mentions.
Although content generated using AI tools can be difficult to identify, it is still possible to identify AI-generated content.
AI-generated portraits usually feature unnatural facial expressions, asymmetrical body proportions, lip movement that does not match the spoken text, etc.
“The experience of foreign countries with public opinion manipulations, publication of false and information generated using AI tools about political candidates, as well as the existing geopolitical situation encourage us to be pro-active before the upcoming European Parliament elections,” notes KNAB acting Deputy Chief for Strategy and Policy Planning Sandijs Vectēvs.
The period of time before elections has often been sensitive, and modern technologies present new risks for fair and democratic elections. This is why residents should be critical about the information that is publicly accessible. This applies to everyday life and pre-election periods.
KNAB reminds that influencers, including political organizations, political candidates and non-party persons, must comply with various restrictions and prohibitions during the pre-election period, including a ban on secret political promotion. The ban on secret political promotion applies to paid content the generation of which used AI tools and which do not list the client paying for it.
KNA notes that the pre-election period of the European Parliament elections commenced on the 10th of February and will last until Election Day – the 8th of June.
KNAB, National Electronic Mass Media Council and the National Language Centre are in charge of monitoring of pre-election activities in Latvia.
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