Experts eye Alberta referendum as case study on impacts of artificial intelligence

The recent Alberta referendum has become a study on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on democratic processes. AI chatbots and search engines often provide inconsistent answers to questions about potential tax changes and pension increases under an independent Alberta, as the data used to predict responses changes frequently. This inconsistency stems from the "garbage in, garbage out" principle, where inaccurate or outdated information feeds the AI algorithms, resulting in unreliable outcomes.

A report by Media Ecosystem Observatory, an Ontario-based initiative, highlights how AI technologies are being utilized in online discussions related to the Oct. 19 referendum. The report documents mixed responses to questions about taxes, pensions, and fiscal advantages for an independent Alberta. It also tracks the role of AI in shaping online discourse, noting that AI has expanded debates on separation and made tracking the referendum more complex.

The rise of social media and AI has led to a shift in power dynamics, with online influencers gaining relevance and engagement at the expense of traditional news media and elected officials. This shift has been termed an "influencer era" for elections. Pro-separation influencers dominate the online discourse, despite polls indicating a large majority of Albertans would vote to remain in Canada. Bridgman suggests that these voices may feel underrepresented in traditional media.

AI-generated content is also prevalent in the separation debate, with many influencers employing AI tools to create content. University of Alberta political science professor Blair Attard-Frost emphasizes the need for new media literacy measures to counteract the deceptive nature of AI technologies, which are marketed as intelligent tools but can propagate incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading information. This could influence voters' decisions and affect the referendum results.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has taken steps to counteract AI-generated misinformation, turning to traditional media and launching an ad campaign and mailing out booklets outlining the referendum questions. However, critics argue that the booklet is filled with uncontextualized numbers and information to push voters toward the government's agenda, raising concerns about its potential impact on the referendum's outcome.