The author also highlights the potential misuse of AI in election campaigns, such as the creation of hyperrealistic robocalls and AI-generated videos spreading pro-government messages. The article concludes with a personal note from the author, who is leaving MIT Technology Review to pursue opportunities outside of journalism. The author encourages readers to continue following the publication for coverage on how technology is changing societies and communities.
Key takeaways:
- The 2024 US presidential election will see significant influence from technology, with three major trends being generative AI, political micro-influencers, and digital censorship.
- Generative AI, which creates text or images, is expected to spread political misinformation and could be used in unexpected ways, such as in hyperrealistic robocall programs.
- Political micro-influencers, who have large but not huge followings, are expected to play a significant role in the 2024 election, helping campaigns understand their audience and platforms.
- Digital censorship is on the rise due to technology-enabled surveillance, online targeting, and state control of online domains, and is expected to be a critical human rights issue and a core weapon in future wars.