By Malin Nyberg, LI Staff Intern 24/25
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been on the rise for decades, but its development has accelerated rapidly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of interactive AI tools like ChatGPT in 2022. AI has swiftly entered the democratic sphere and is already being used in many countries for election-related content. Many regions are only now waking up to this new reality and are beginning to implement legislation to curb AI’s influence on governance and democracy. The insidious challenge of AI lies in its unpredictability—its trajectory is difficult to foresee, making it impossible to fully control, even for those designing it.
Against this backdrop, the LI Human Rights Committee addressed this highly relevant topic in a panel discussion at the 64th Congress in Chile. Given AI’s potential repercussions on democracy, governance, and human rights, the committee recognized the urgency of discussing its possible impacts. Facilitated by Anne Fleur van Veenstra (D66) and featuring panelists Mardi Seng (CALD), Claudia McKoy (CGLI), and Nicolás Freire Castello (CEO, La Fábrica Liberal Institute), the discussion explored AI’s growing influence in the political landscape.
The panel focused on three key questions:
A central theme of the discussion was how to ensure that democratic voices are consolidated in the use of AI. Mardi Seng shared examples of how Asian countries have leveraged AI in recent elections, including digital campaigning and voter outreach. Meanwhile, Claudia McKoy raised concerns about how AI-driven data collection could impact grassroots campaigning, questioning its implications for representation and fairness in the electoral process.
AI and Democracy: What You Need to Know
For many, the risks of AI in politics—such as deepfakes and the large-scale spread of disinformation—are obvious. Others highlight its benefits, including efficiency in gathering and analyzing data. Below are some key points to consider when engaging with AI in the democratic sphere.
1️⃣ Differentiate Human-Created vs. AI-Generated Content
Understanding the distinction between AI-generated and human-created content is essential to guard against disinformation. Strengthening media literacy among both adults and children is a crucial step in ensuring responsible AI use.
2️⃣ Maintain a Human Oversight in AI Processes
A human element should always be present when generating AI content. Whether reviewing AI-generated statements, verifying suggested actions, or cross-checking AI-produced “facts,” human oversight is critical—especially in political campaigning. Some AI tools have built-in fact-checking mechanisms, but this is not universal. Verifying outputs ensures accuracy and prevents the spread of misleading information.
AI in the Democratic Sphere
With these principles in mind, AI has a broad range of applications in politics, from enhancing civic debate to moderating large-scale political discussions and improving candidate-voter interactions.
🔹 The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has compiled “Guidelines for AI in Parliament,” offering practical recommendations on the responsible use of AI in governance and election campaigns.
🔹 The European Liberal Forum (ELF), through its TechnoPolitics initiative, provides in-depth insights into the intersection of technology, politics, and policymaking—an invaluable resource for European liberal parties.
🔹 UNESCO has developed a comprehensive toolkit for electoral stakeholders, analyzing AI’s risks and providing a handbook for navigating the evolving digital landscape in the context of democracy and governance.
The Way Forward
AI is already shaping the democratic process, from elections to governance. The challenge is not to resist this technological shift but to harness it responsibly. This article provides an initial guide for engaging with AI in politics, while the resources listed offer deeper insights into this evolving field. By staying informed and implementing safeguards, we can ensure AI serves democracy rather than undermining it.