Objectives
The risks associated with using AI to fuel misinformation and influence voting choice are becoming increasingly worrying. Indeed, generative AI tools are posing unprecedented challenges by helping actors to create deepfakes, micro-target the electorate or carry out cyberattacks in ever more efficient, rapid and cost-effective ways. These uses could have numerous negative consequences: loss of public confidence in democratic institutions, manipulation of opinion, extreme polarization of debates, etc.
Project description
CEIMIA and IVADO are joining forces to raise awareness, equip and collaborate with public bodies and civil society actors on these crucial issues, in addition to helping to better understand and convey how AI can, in some cases, be used as a lever to strengthen our democratic processes.
The project will focus on a number of areas, enabling the two organizations to draw on their complementary experience:
- Setting up research and monitoring activities;
- Supporting the reflection of public bodies such as Élections Québec, as well as other players in civil society;
- Collaborating with renowned specialists on a Quebec, Canadian and international scale to develop new public policies.
The two organizations will also work to transfer knowledge on the subject of AI and democracies, implement awareness programs, develop risk management frameworks and develop tools to protect electoral and democratic processes from the abuses of AI use.
Team
Janick Houde
Partnerships and Ecosystems Coordinator
Amélie Côté
Senior Coordinator, Knowledge mobilization and social innovation