The 2024 U.S. presidential election witnessed notable instances of artificial intelligence (AI) being utilized in both domestic political campaigns and foreign interference efforts.

Domestic Use of AI:

• Campaign Strategies: Political campaigns employed AI to enhance fundraising by analyzing donor data to identify potential supporters.

• AI-Generated Content: The Trump campaign faced criticism for using AI-generated images, such as deepfakes of public figures like Taylor Swift, to suggest endorsements.

Foreign Interference Involving AI:

• Russia: U.S. intelligence agencies reported that Russia employed generative AI to create fake and divisive content, including text, images, videos, and audio, aiming to foster anti-American sentiments and influence voter perceptions.

• China: China allegedly utilized AI-driven tools to generate fake news and social media posts, attempting to sway U.S. voters by amplifying societal divisions and promoting narratives favorable to Chinese interests.

• Iran: Iranian actors allegedly used AI to produce fabricated content targeting specific voter groups, intending to influence opinions and sow discord within the U.S. electorate.

Impact Assessment:

Time magazine called the AI impact “underwhelming” whilst the Wall Street Journal highlighted attempts to target specific demographics to sway the outcome.

While AI may have actively been used in both domestic campaigns and foreign interference efforts, its overall impact on the election’s outcome remains a subject of ongoing analysis. It has been suggested that, although AI-generated content contributed to the spread of misinformation and propaganda, traditional methods of disinformation continued to play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions.