Political communication in the age of artificial intelligence: an overview of deepfakes and their implications

Abstract

The current technological landscape has been profoundly shaped by rapid and significant advances in artificial intelligence (AI), sparking extraordinary interest in academia and beyond. Considered an unprecedented revolutionary technology, it has captured the attention of researchers, scholars, and professionals from various disciplines as it offers transformative prospects in a wide range of fields. This technological progress has sparked a broad debate on its social, ethical, and economic impacts, raising important questions that require in-depth and multidisciplinary investigations. AI thus emerges as an ever-evolving discipline with significant implications for the future of human progress. Besides being seen as an opportunity to pursue common societal goals, many observers have recognized the potential risks associated with such developments. Its integration into the political context also presents a promising opportunity to enhance the efficiency of political decisions however, its adoption raises significant challenges that require careful evaluation. The aim of this research is to explore in detail the relationship between AI and political communication, focusing on the analysis of AI's usage in this context while highlighting the phenomenon of deepfakes, which jeopardize democratic stability and security in many cases. The importance of this research contribution lies in the context where AI is assuming an increasingly prominent role in daily dynamics, making it essential to fully understand the implications and potential consequences of AI application in the political field. Furthermore, it is crucial to assess whether such initiatives can genuinely be considered democratic or if they could represent a dangerous trend towards the use of manipulative algorithms.