Smart Elections: Can Artificial Intelligence Influence Voter Behavior?

Traditional electoral systems have been adapted to the rapid evolution of new technologies, trying to find solutions for the various problems that have arisen in the electoral process. From the use of electronic voting to combat political absenteeism to the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in the electoral campaign, recent advances in the field of artificial intelligence have an unprecedented impact on the electoral process, both positively, through multiple benefits, and negatively, through the possibility of being misused and violating fundamental rights. The ability of artificial intelligence systems to launch cyber attacks and produce deepfakes, thus leading to disinformation of the population, can negatively affect democratic electoral processes. So, we do not hesitate to ask ourselves, as in any other field, what are the costs of using artificial intelligence in the electoral process? Is the electorate prepared to validly express its right to vote in the current situation of multiple sources of information? Romania, like other countries, recently experienced this negative experience, during the presidential elections of November 24, 2024, when artificial intelligence was used abusively, which led to the manipulation of the electorate and election fraud by violating freedom of expression, the right to vote, but also the principle of equality regarding the right to be elected.