Business firms across the globe perceive artificial intelligence to be a necessity, considering the intelligent solutions it offers. However, policymakers and authorities in different countries share different views on the degree of control over artificial intelligence. Within the next few years, AI is likely to become a political talking point.

Leading firms are investing heavily on AI technologies in recent years. A report released by McKinsey reveals that Alphabet has invested around 30 billion dollars for developing technologies based on artificial intelligence. Its Chinese equivalent, Baidu, invested around 20 billion dollars in these technologies last year.

What has politics to do with Artificial Intelligence?

Trends of AI usage are changing. Across the globe, companies are investing their energy, money and time in developing AI systems. However, it must be noted that business firms are not the only investors in AI technology. According to a report by The New Yorker, the government of China has been quite aggressive in using AI technology to control innovation in the near future.

Presently, the world’s largest entities are focusing on leveraging technology, using AI. The world leaders are gradually becoming involved in the implementation of AI technologies. Days are not far when AI will be a major talking point from the political perspective.

Why might AI become a political talking point?

In international politics, artificial intelligence may soon be a matter of discussion. Automation and intelligence may disrupt employment trends. The middle-class workers and IT employees may feel the heat, leading to a new employment landscape. In the context of job loss, it is important to focus on the role of AI in various industries.

AI has the potential to create new career opportunities. However, technology can replace manpower, leading to the loss of jobs in certain sectors. According to a report by CNBC, self-driven vehicles will lead to job loss of 25,000 truckers each month. Integration of AI in warehousing and logistics can also lead to a loss in job opportunities.

Considering the challenges that AI faces when it comes to the global economy, the state of politics is highly contextual to automation.

AI and political campaigns: What is the future likely to be?

Intelligent technologies are evolving. Steadily seeping through several domains, AI may be playing a crucial role in electoral campaigns in the coming years. The voting mechanism may not be free from the impact of AI. Eventually, it will influence the future of politics, which makes political debates highly probable on AI.

You might be wondering, how AI can have an impact on politics. Have a look at the different possibilities that are looming around the future of global politics.

Effective dissemination of information

With promotion, political campaigns may be going overboard. This involves aspects on which an individual voter may or may not be interested. At times, leaders may be making promises that are actually irrelevant to the masses.

AI can help them in these situations. Using intelligent insights, politicians can gauge the interests of people on various aspects. AI can help them get an idea of their views and expressions on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites.

Machine learning algorithms, based on AI, can help parties design their campaigns. In the process, they can shape their agenda and speak about aspects that people are really concerned with.

For instance, an individual may be more interested about environmental issues. AI tools can be used to evaluate the posts, tweets and social media activities to gain an insight about the thoughts and intentions. Accordingly, the political campaigns can be customised for each group, depending on their interests and tastes.

Micro-targeting audience

The efforts involved in organising a political campaign are literally huge. Every party tries to reach out to the remotest area in the country.AI can mobilise this process, making the overall exercise more goal-oriented.

For instance, intelligent technologies come handy while evaluating large volumes of data. Even during the process of data collection, AI proves to be immensely helpful. This data may carry valuable insights on voter behaviour, general mood of the public, development requirements, party preferences and so on.

The algorithms can process the demands and needs of a particular group of voters in a given area. They the political parties can use this data to target these masses. Eventually, they can micro-target them with exactly what is needed.

Voter engagement

Voter engagement is one of the prime aspects that political leaders focus on. Election is something more than coming to power and keeping the promises. Engaging the voter is important, and AI has the potential to serve this purpose.

Before elections, leaders strive to know about the sentiments and feelings of the masses. Particularly, they try to get in touch with them to feel their pulse about the current administration. In case they find plus points or flaws, they design their agenda accordingly.

Practically, it is not logical to reach out to every voter at their residents through rallies. AI technologies can foster a better interpersonal connection between the political leaders can voters. Keeping them engaged through AI-backed technologies can be the trump card for successful parties.

Cutting down expenses

Thanks to automation, AI can reduce costs of campaigns to a significant extent. In fact, it can minimise human involvement in political campaigns. Chatbots backed by AI is an example, which reveals the potential of technology.

It can reduce a significant amount of labour, required to allocate people for different tasks during elections. Political parties need to hire staff during elections and pay them for their labour.

Automation can eventually help the parties save labour, and thereby costs. Campaigns are likely to become more economic in the coming years. This can save the financial resources of economies across the world.

To Conclude…

It appears that AI is likely to disrupt every facet of civilisation, right from businesses to politics and lifestyle. In an attempt to streamline each process, the governments may intervene in the implementation of AI systems.

In the coming years, it might not be possible to think of technology and politics in watertight compartments. The political system, along with the election process itself may become technology-oriented.

Mukesh Kumar Sinha, Co- Founder & COO, Gravitas AI

www.gravitas.ai