The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Rule of Law Centre of Finland (RoL Centre), in collaboration with the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recently convened a regional forum to discuss the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and electoral processes.
Gathered in Sarajevo, Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from the Western Balkans, along with esteemed academics and representatives from civil society organizations, engaged in constructive dialogue on harnessing AI to enhance the integrity and public trust in elections.
The discussions shed light on the opportunities and challenges arising from the growing use of AI tools in election campaigns and management. Topics ranged from defining AI and addressing the risks of disinformation in campaigns to considerations regarding personal data protection, human rights, and democracy. Moreover, participants explored how AI can support EMBs in implementing electoral processes more effectively, drawing insights from experiences like political finance oversight in the UK and the utilization of AI in updating voter lists.
Acknowledging the rising trend in AI tool adoption, participants also examined its implications for EMB capacities, human resources, regulation, and the EU’s role as a standard setter in this arena.
The event was organized within the framework of the “Integrity and Trust in Albanian Elections: Fostering Political Finance Transparency and the Safe Use of Information and Communication Technologies,” a collaborative initiative by International IDEA and the Rule of Law Centre of Finland.
Source: idea.int
