Eyes on AI as factor in Alberta referendum

Edmonton – Artificial intelligence chatbots and search engines may provide different answers when queried about taxes and pensions in an independent Alberta, says Aengus Bridgman, director of Media Ecosystem Observatory. The Ontario-based research institute documented mixed responses in a report released last month, tracking AI technologies in online discourse ahead of the Oct.

19 referendum on Alberta's potential separation from Canada. The referendum asks Albertans to vote on 10 questions, including whether they want to remain a province within Canada or have a binding referendum on leaving Confederation. The report highlights how AI could impact future elections, with online influencers accumulating relevance and engagement at the expense of news media and elected officials.

Social media and AI have expanded debates on separation, but they have also made tracking the referendum and elections more complex, as elections Alberta warns the information provided by AI-powered chatbots and search engines is often incorrect. OpenAI and Google did not respond to requests for comments on the report. The study also found an increase in content about Alberta separation produced in other countries, such as the United States, but there is not enough evidence of foreign interference.

Bridgman stated that the rise of pro-separation influencers on social media, despite polls showing a majority of Albertans voting to remain in Canada, is unclear but could be due to these voices feeling underrepresented in traditional media. University of Alberta political science professor Blair Attard-Frost emphasized the need for new media literacy to address how big tech markets its search engines and services, as AI has made tracking the referendum and elections more complex.

Premier Danielle Smith's government has turned to traditional media to combat AI-generated misinformation, launching an ad campaign and mailing booklets with explanations of the 10 referendum questions. However, Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government's booklet for providing uncontextualized numbers and information to urge voters to support the government's position.