Blogs

The rise of AI in Lok Sabha elections : Transforming India’s voting landscape

Introduction

The rise of AI in Lok Sabha elections : Transforming India’s voting landscape

General elections also known as Lok Sabha elections are a boon to determine the country’s agenda and composition of central government for the term of five years. And every year we have seen some of the major changes in disciplines of political parties in the way they have shown themselves in front of people who in turn become an important factor in deciding the future of the country.

In the new era of evolved elections, technology is becoming more and more crucial in running political campaigns. And with the use of Artificial intelligence many political parties are adapting changes to spread awareness. From making estimated analysis to personalising campaigning, artificial intelligence is making the arena of politics in many interesting ways. Political parties make use of AI to monitor their political campaign by analysing large amounts of data. They analyse past performance of voters in each geographical section to help them interact with least voters in that section. They can gain valuable insights on preferences and opinions of people which will help them to adapt to changes in their campaign.

One of the important features of an AI to make predictions has given political parties a chance to evolve in strategic planning and voter’s prediction. AI can estimate the results of elections by the use of its complex systems by analysing the past performances of each geographical section , complex data sets, social media trends and opinion polls. With these, political parties are able to execute their plans and strategies in a much better way. They can target areas where the voting pattern is least in terms of results. And they can modify their promotional activities for the same.

Now, AI chatbots and virtual assistants are developed to interact with voters directly on social media. To help them solve their queries, problems and concerns related to something. Political parties like BJP and Congress used AI to make AI generated videos to interact with the audience and their supporters. BJP uses AI to translate Pm Modi’s speech into eight different languages so that people from across India can benefit with Pm Modi’s assurance in improving their country’s overall health.

AI systems use social media algorithms to monitor engagements , if voters are going to some type of concern political parties can establish a direct line of communication with them. By monitoring keywords and hashtags to understand the major point of discussions on social media, political parties try to respond to emerging issues and controversies in real time. Fast responses and problem solving has enabled political parties to create good connections with voters. Delivery of personalised content to the targeted audience using AI strategies has impacted their campaign in growth and mobilisation.

AI is revolutionising the way political parties conduct election forecasting and strategic planning. By leveraging predictive analytics algorithms, parties can analyse historical voting data, demographic trends, and social media activity to forecast election outcomes with remarkable accuracy. This enables parties to identify key battlegrounds, allocate resources strategically, and prioritise campaign efforts where they have the greatest chance of success. Additionally, AI-powered simulations and scenario analysis tools allow parties to test different campaign strategies, messaging tactics, and voter outreach initiatives in a virtual environment, enabling them to make more informed decisions and adapt to changing dynamics in real-time.

Political parties like BJP make use of digital tools to translate the speech of Prime minister Narendra Modi. So that they can reach a wider audience in terms of delivering their message. With the help of AI, BJP delivers real time dubbing and translations of speech with the help of tools like Bhashni which is a tool to translate into mainly Indian languages. Not only the use of AI but they use AR (Augmented reality) to enhance their political campaign. According to Indian express, with the help of AR, parties are able to digitise their leader’s images and can deliver messages to voters. This is possible by scanning QR codes. People scan QR codes using their phone and the politician appears in front of them facing the camera such that people feel like he/she is talking to them directly. And then the candidate can address themselves to cast the vote. Voters feel so much connection with this message that they feel politicians' opinion and value it. All thanks to AI and AR for their contribution in general elections.

AI increases accessibility inclusive voting in underserved communities. For example, AI-powered translation tools are used to remove language barriers and allow voters to access election information in their preferred language. Similarly, accessibility features like speech recognition and screen reading technology can help voters with disabilities participate independently and safely. Despite the revolutionary potential of AI, its debut in the Lok Sabha elections also raises important questions about ethics and governance. Concerns about privacy, data security and algorithmic bias have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of technology. There is also a risk that AI could be used to manipulate public opinion or spread misinformation, highlighting the need for protections and regulatory rights to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

However, AI is transforming the way political parties conduct voter outreach and engagement. Through the use of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, parties can provide voters with instant access to information about candidates, election procedures, and polling locations. These digital assistants serve as a convenient and accessible resource for voters, answering queries, addressing concerns, and facilitating voter registration with ease. Additionally, AI-driven sentiment analysis tools monitor social media conversations in real-time, allowing parties to gauge public opinion, identify emerging issues, and tailor their messaging accordingly. By actively engaging with voters on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, parties can foster greater transparency, accountability, and trust, thereby strengthening democratic participation and civic engagement.

AI's debut in Lok Sabha polls represents a landmark moment in Indian democracy, promising to revolutionise the way elections are contested, won, and governed. By harnessing the power of AI to analyse data, personalise messaging, and enhance voter engagement, political parties can create more inclusive, responsive, and accountable electoral systems that empower citizens and strengthen democratic values. As India continues to embrace AI in its electoral process, it is essential to strike a balance between innovation and regulation to ensure that AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly to uphold the integrity of elections and promote the democratic ideals on which India's political system is built. As India continues to embrace AI in its electoral process, it is essential to address ethical and regulatory concerns to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and in accordance with democratic values. By striking a balance between innovation and accountability, India can harness the full potential of AI to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote civic engagement, and uphold the principles of free and fair elections for generations to come.

Conclusion

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the Lok Sabha elections marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Indian democracy. AI's debut in electoral politics has ushered in a new era of data-driven campaigning, personalised voter engagement, and transparent electoral processes. By harnessing the power of AI, political parties have been able to analyse vast amounts of data, target specific voter demographics, and optimise campaign strategies with unprecedented precision and efficiency using the concept of data science. And all this is possible by managing large amounts of data into different datasets wherein techniques like Natural language processing (NLP) enables the analysis of public sentiment helping political parties understand voters' concerns and preferences in real time. This real time feedback allows improvisation in campaign strategies ensuring bigger impact in creating awareness. If you are also interested in knowing data manipulation and data visualisation, Join with us on the journey of data revolution in our exclusive data science bootcamp.

© 2024 LEJHRO. All Rights Reserved.