The Impact of AI Videos on India’s General Election: Risks and Regulations

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating videos has taken a controversial turn in India’s ongoing general election, with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his rival Mamata Banerjee becoming unwitting stars of manipulated clips that have gone viral on social media platforms.

In a recent incident, an AI video surfaced showing an animated version of Modi dancing on stage to a Bollywood song, dressed in trendy attire, while the crowd cheered him on. The Prime Minister himself reshared the video, praising the creativity behind it. In a similar vein, another video depicted Banerjee dancing in a saree-like outfit, with snippets of her speech criticizing those who defected from her party to join Modi’s camp.

The proliferation of such AI-generated videos has raised concerns among regulators and security officials, particularly in a country like India where a significant portion of the population may be susceptible to misinformation due to limited tech literacy. The potential for these videos to incite sectarian tensions, especially during a high-stakes election season, is a cause for alarm.

The Election Commission of India has issued warnings to political parties against the use of AI to spread misinformation, citing legal provisions that could lead to jail terms for offenders. However, the ease of access to AI tools and the rapid spread of manipulated content pose significant challenges for authorities tasked with monitoring and controlling such activities.

While Modi’s response to the AI video of himself dancing was lighthearted, authorities in West Bengal launched an investigation into a social media user who shared the manipulated clip of Banerjee. The user, known as SoldierSaffron7, refused to comply with a police notice to delete the video, highlighting the difficulties faced by law enforcement in regulating online content.

As the use of AI and deepfakes becomes more prevalent in elections worldwide, the case of India serves as a cautionary tale of the potential risks associated with the misuse of technology for political purposes. With the 2024 national election underway, the battle against misinformation and manipulated content is likely to intensify, posing a significant challenge for authorities and social media platforms alike.