Summary
As part of the panel titled “Emerging Threats or Opportunities? – Artificial Intelligence”, taking place on November 30 at the Bucharest Security Conference 2024, Dan Sultanescu, Research Director of the Center for Civic Participation and Democracy (CPD), will present new findings on the perception of the U.S. population regarding the impact of artificial intelligence and the use of AI tools, derived from research that he recently conducted.
A former Fulbright Visiting Scholar with the University of South Carolina, Sultanescu recently coordinated a comprehensive study at the College of Information and Communications – the AI Index, the first representative survey conducted by a university across the U.S. that measures AI’s impact in detail.
The study revealed that a significant portion of respondents believe AI-generated content has the potential to influence political views, particularly in the context of elections. Specifically, 61% of participants recognized this potential, while 13% dismissed it. “Notably, younger individuals reported feeling less exposed to the influence of AI-generated content on their political views. This perceived immunity, however, may make them more vulnerable to manipulation. In contrast, individuals with higher education levels demonstrated greater awareness and concern about the influence of AI-generated content on political opinions. This is an important lesson that can be learned, as it underscores the importance of education, awareness, and critical thinking skills in mitigating the influence of malicious AI-generated content, particularly among populations who may underestimate its impact”, considers Dan Sultanescu.
These results highlight the evolving challenges posed by AI in shaping public opinion and emphasizes the need for informed strategies to address its societal impact. This type of research is particularly significant in the context of highly contested electoral confrontations, such as the recently concluded presidential elections in the United States or the ongoing elections in Romania, where issues like the abusive use of social media platforms and the influence of disinformation campaigns on voting outcomes have taken center stage in public debate.