The Digital Challenges of Democracy: Deepfakes and the 2024 Elections in Mexico

In the current political landscape, we face a complex electoral terrain that transcends the conventional perceptions we’ve held until now. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has marked a milestone in this area, embodied in emblematic figures like ChatGPT, whose influence has extended beyond imagined limits. However, another significant phenomenon presents itself and demands our attention and caution: deepfakes.

«These technologies, capable of astonishingly realistic recreation of fictitious situations and speeches, pose crucial questions.»

—Fernando Castillo, 2024

Deepfakes

The rapid advancement of technology has given rise to a series of ethical and political dilemmas that once seemed confined to science fiction movies. Deepfakes, the product of sophisticated algorithms and massive data sets, represent an insidious threat to the 2024 elections in Mexico. Their ability to manipulate images and videos with an almost indistinguishable precision from reality poses an unprecedented challenge to public trust in information and the very institution of democracy.

In the electoral context, deepfakes can be dangerous weapons in the hands of ill-intentioned actors. From defaming candidates to manipulating speeches and events, these falsifications can sow discord and confusion among citizens, thus undermining the very foundations of democracy.

The ability to create a video that apparently shows a politician confessing crimes or revealing dark secrets, for example, could have devastating repercussions on the public perception of that individual’s integrity and, by extension, on the entire electoral process.

A recent example that illustrates the potential threat of deepfakes in the political realm is the case of the AI-generated video that allegedly showed President Joe Biden celebrating his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. The resulting confusion and uncertainty from the circulation of this video highlight the fragility of our media reality in the digital age and the urgent need to adopt effective measures to counter this threat.

In this context, responsibility falls on both politicians and society as a whole. Campaign strategists must be aware of the risks associated with the use of deepfakes as tools for political manipulation and act with integrity and ethics in the development of their strategies. At the same time, citizens must be educated and warned about the existence and potential harm of deepfakes to strengthen their resilience against manipulation and disinformation.

The Warning from Uruguay: Reflections for Mexico

The warnings from experts in Uruguay about the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the electoral process are a wake-up call that should not be ignored. These experts’ warnings underscore the urgent need for Mexico to reflect on the challenges it faces in terms of democratic security in the digital age. As technology continues to advance, the potential dangers of political manipulation and disinformation become increasingly evident. Therefore, it is crucial that Mexico takes note of lessons learned in other contexts and strengthens its democratic protection mechanisms to ensure free and fair elections.

In conclusion, it is imperative that we commit to maintaining constant vigilance over these threats, educating citizens on how to identify and combat disinformation, and reaffirming our commitment to truth and transparency in the democratic process. Only by doing so can we safeguard the integrity of our electoral system and protect the fundamental principles of our democracy.

Referencias

  1. «Campaña sucia?, el video generado por Inteligencia Artificial en ….» Ecuavisa. Enlace.
  2. «Inteligencia artificial y campañas negras, la tentación para candidatos ….» El Economista. Enlace.
  3. «Inteligencia artificial y campaña sucia: cinco publicistas alertan por ….» El País. Enlace.
  4. «Campaña sucia: así es el video original que fue editado para armar una ….» Qué Pasa Web. Enlace.
  5. «¿Cómo se utiliza la IA para hacer campaña sucia? – Argenpolis.» Argenpolis. Enlace.


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Soy Fernando Castillo

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