In a year of global elections, how do we stop the spread of misinformation? ‘Prebunking’ is part of the solution
Photo illustration Uninspired By Current Events / Wired
The Conversation
Half the global population are voting in elections in 2024. Many already have. This has prompted concerns about fairness and electoral integrity, particularly with the growth of generative AI. A global tracker has identified dozens of instances of AI-generated misinformation being used in elections so far this year.
One such example was in January, when residents of New Hampshire received a robocall impersonating U.S. President Joe Biden. AI platforms such as Eleven Labs can produce convincing reproductions of anyone’s voice. In response, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission effectively banned AI-generated robocalls.
However, banning AI-generated content is difficult, if not impossible. Speaking about his concerns about misinformation and generative AI in elections, Tom Rogers, Australia’s electoral commissioner, acknowledged the risks, but also emphasised the importance of “prebunking” as an essential ingredient to prevent misinformation.
So, what is prebunking and how will it help protect electoral integrity?
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