Nigeria's upcoming election marred by rising AI disinformation
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 polls, the use of artificial intelligence in the electoral process has prompted questions about integrity and institutional readiness. Can Nigerians trust their democratic processes?
Two months remain until Nigeria's 2027 general election, with incumbent President Bola Tinubu and his opposition rivals facing off. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a voter register that has been found to contain AI-generated images, raising concerns about the electoral process's credibility. INEC's chairman, Joash Amupitan, has established a unit to monitor AI-related threats and strengthen the integrity of the election, but the issue of AI-generated disinformation is not new to Nigeria.
Deepfakes and false narratives were used extensively in the 2023 election, influencing voter behavior and perceptions of candidates. This AI-driven disinformation could pose a greater threat to the upcoming election, as people may begin to doubt authentic information and legitimate evidence may be dismissed as AI-generated. Election consultant Chibuike Mgbeahuruike warns that the absence of effective accountability for AI deployment could undermine the electoral commission's credibility.
Experts urge voters to remain vigilant and call for transparency, accountability, and oversight in the use of technology during the electoral process.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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