THE ROLE OF AI-DRIVEN CONTENT, SMART TECHNOLOGIES, AND DISINFORMATION IN THE 2024 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Abstract
This study examines the influence of smart technologies and algorithms on voter behavior, with a particular focus on their role in the 2024 United States (U.S.) presidential elections. By curating content based on user preferences, algorithms create echo chambers that deepen divisions and increase polarization. Advanced AI tools, such as deepfake technology and micro-targeting strategies, further manipulate voter perceptions by spreading misleading information, posing significant ethical and democratic challenges. The findings highlight the need for improved digital literacy and stronger regulations to reduce the impact of digital disinformation and protect the integrity of democratic processes. This research underscores the dual importance of individual awareness and platform accountability in addressing the complexities of digital influence on elections.
Keywords
Artificial intelligence, Smart technologies, Algorithms, Deepfake, 2024 U.S. Presidential election
References
- • Allcott, Hunt & Gentzkow, Matthew (2017), “Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 31, no: 2, pp. 211-236.
- • Arısoy Gedik, Cansu (2023), “Yapılaşma Teorisi Çerçevesinden Kullanıcıların Kişisel İzleri için Şeffaf Bir Dijital Ağ Modeli Önerisi”, MEDIAJ, Vol. 6, no: 1, pp. 19-40.
- • Arısoy Gedik, Cansu, & Ceyhan, A. İlkay (2024), “The Gender Gap in the Digital Era: Reaching Algorithmic Fairness and Technological Inclusivity in Network Society”, Communication Papers. Media Literacy and Gender Studies, Vol. 13, no: 26, pp. 64-75.
- • Bakshy, Eytan & Messing, Solomon & Adamic, Lada A. (2015), “Exposure to Ideologically Diverse News and Opinion on Facebook”, Science, Vol. 348, no: 6239, pp. 1130-1132.
- • Baldwin-Philippi, Jessica (2019), “Data campaigning: between empirics and assumptions”, Internet Policy Review, Vol. 8, no: 4.
- • Benkler, Yochai & Faris, Robert & Roberts, Hal (2018), Network Propaganda: Manipulation, Disinformation, and Radicalization in American Politics, New York: Oxford University Press.
- • Bond, Shannon (2024), “How AI-generated memes are changing the 2024 election”, NPR News, 30.08.2024, Date of Accession: 12.12.2024 from https://www.npr.org/2024/08/30/nx-s1-5087913/donald-trump-artificial-intelligence-memes-deepfakes-taylor-swift.
- • Bulger, Monica & Davison, Patrick (2018), “The Promises, Challenges, and Futures of Media Literacy”, Journal of Media Literacy Education, Vol. 10, no: 1, pp. 1-21.
- • Cadwalladr, Carole & Graham-Harrison, Emma (2018), “Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach”, The Guardian, 17.03.2018, Date of Accession: 10.12.2024 from https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/cambridge-analytica-facebook-influence-us-election.
- • Chesney, Robert & Citron, Danielle (2019), “Deepfakes and the New Disinformation War: The Coming Age of Post-Truth Geopolitics”, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 98, no: 1, pp. 147-155.