Manufactured 'Realities'

Without robust regulations and digital literacy programmes, AI-generated electoral disinformation will continue to undermine India's democratic integrity

- ABHISHEK ROY CHOUDHURY

In the bustling streets of Kolkata, a corporate professional sat next to me in a lively food joint. He was intently scrolling through his phone, his expression marked by disbelief. A video of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh allegedly making controversial political remarks had gone viral in his WhatsApp groups. But something felt off - the celebrity's lip movements didn't quite match the words, and the voice sounded slightly mechanical. "I've been a big fan of Bollywood since I was a child," he said. "Celebrities who aren't involved in politics rarely speak so bluntly on political matters." His suspicions were right. The video was an AI-generated deepfake, one of thousands that flooded social media platforms and messaging services as the world's largest democracy navigated its General Elections, followed by three state elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.

AI as the Driving