How artificial intelligence could influence Australia’s next federal election

Experts have called on the government to ban the use of artificial intelligence chatbots in the use of political campaigns ahead of the 2025 election.

Artificial intelligence will “no doubt” be used to influence voters’ choices in Australia’s next federal election, experts have warned, but to what extent relies on how far the government moves to regulate what’s fast becoming a wildly unpredictable technological landscape.

A rapid spread of manipulated content or ‘deep fakes’ has sparked global concerns as more than 50 countries head into elections over the next two years.

With Australia heading into its own national vote by May 2025, the likelihood of deep fake content being used to manipulate opinion and erode public trust has never been more apparent, according to University of Sydney generative AI ethics researcher Rebecca Johnson.

“You can make deep fakes of a politician saying something to put them in a scandalous position, but on a more insidious level, deep fakes can be used to create a fake voice of someone that you might trust,” Ms Johnson said.

Generative AI, which includes chatbots such as ChatGPT, have exploded over the past year. Picture: Olivier Morin/AFP.

“I don’t think Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton are going to go and do this, but because this technology is so accessible, people who might be diehard supporters of one party of the other who are stuck on a particular view could definitely use this technology.”

Deepfakes use a type of artificial intelligence called deep learning to allow people to swap faces, mimic voices and create entirely fake images of fictional events from scratch.

In its most basic form, it can create funny videos swapping faces of pop stars with politicians to show them singing lyrics or performing a viral dance.

At a darker level, it can be used to construct a fake political speech deployed at the last minute in an effort to turn the tide of an election.

Ms Johnson said given the “extreme” acceleration of AI technologies the government must consider banning the use of AI-generated chatbots in political campaigns.

“We’re talking about the upholding of our democracy so this isn’t a Labor, Greens or Nationals issue – this is an Australian issue” she said.

“We also need to invest heavily in both public education and school programs so we can bring people up to speed on these dangers.”

The government has proposed new rules which will extend to cover generative AI and algorithms. Picture: Supplied.

While there are some regulations in place to mitigate the emerging risks of AI in Australia, there are currently no specific laws in place to regulate it.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland flagged a raft of new reforms last November that could force tech companies to modify their algorithms to ensure they do not amplify harmful material created using AI, including deep fakes.

She said over the past two years it has become “harder and harder to distinguish” between genuine images and AI-generated ones.

“While this technology has incredible potential as a positive tool, we have also seen it used to create images designed to humiliate, embarrass, offend – and even abuse – others,” Ms Rowland said.