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Call for Paper
Artificial Election and Its Impact on Election

Announcement
2.1 Minutes
Call for Paper

Background

Growing accessibility to and sinking costs of generative AI heightens fears of the influence of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and all-out disinformation campaigns in democracies. 2024 is poised the super Elections Year with 70 elections scheduled worldwide, including in the USA, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Europe. Elections alone do not guarantee the existence and strength of democracy. At the same time, a functioning democracy is inconceivable without regular fair and free elections. There has been much debate about if and how AI will impact elections. As a chilling example, one may look at the 2023 election in Slovakia, where two days before the election a deep-fake audio of Michal Šimečka, leader of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, appeared to be talking about rigging the election appeared.

Project scope

In a collaborative project with the German Think Tank “The German Council on Foreign Relations” (DGAP) the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation for Freedom, aims to measure the impact of AI on elections. Working with a framework of proxy variables we want to create a globally comparable quantitative study of selected elections in 2024. For this, we observe changes in trust in government and media ahead of elections and changes in polls and compare this to data on AI-generated content and FIMI. Quantitative data on developments will be collected for the three months before the election by the DGAP.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an on-site expert to collaborate in determining the specific country-specific data, beyond the general framework, that should be gathered by the DGAP. Additionally, this expert will independently collect qualitative data. Their responsibilities encompass evaluating, contextualizing, and interpreting the data supplied by the DGAP, utilizing it as a foundational element. The combined insights from the DGAP's clustered data and the expert's qualitative findings will be employed to compose a policy paper examining the influence of AI on elections in India.

Requirements

  • Relevant work/educational experience of at least 5 years in the field of computer science, Political sciences, or other related fields
  • Knowledge of the domestic political landscape of India
  • Experience in primary and secondary research projects independently
  • Demonstrated proficiency in high-quality succinct error-free writing in English
  • Ability to articulate research content to varying audiences in English
  • Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely and adapt messages to different interlocutors, including government partners, policy influencers, team members, researchers, partner organizations, and donors

Prescribed style

  • The targeted length of the paper is 7000 words including references. Submissions should adhere to academic standards, incorporating relevant citations, empirical evidence, and analytical rigor.
  • FNF will provide the authors with a template for the policy paper to follow
  • FNF follows in-text citation and Harvard Referencing Style
  • Use footnotes whenever relevant. Do not hyperlink
  • The first draft of the paper is to be submitted by August 30th, and the final paper by September 30th after feedback from FNF and editors.

How to apply

Scholars, academics, and practitioners are encouraged to submit their Table of Contents, CVs, and expected remuneration to Bipin.Ghimire@freiheit.org by 07 June 2024. 

Only shortlisted authors will be contacted.