The Aftermath of 2024: How AI Shaped the Election and What’s Next for Politics

January 24, 2025

Explore how AI influenced the 2024 U.S. elections, from campaigning and voter integrity to combating misinformation, and its implications for the future of politics.

The Aftermath of 2024: How AI Shaped the Election and What’s Next for Politics

The 2024 U.S. elections will be remembered as a watershed moment in the relationship between artificial intelligence and democracy. From AI-driven campaign strategies to its role in voter security and misinformation control, the technology was both a game-changer and a lightning rod for controversy. As we step into 2025, it's critical to reflect on AI's influence in the election and explore its implications for the future of politics.

AI in Campaigning: Precision or Manipulation?

Campaigns in 2024 leveraged AI to unprecedented levels. By analyzing vast amounts of voter data, AI allowed candidates to tailor their messages to specific demographics with pinpoint accuracy. Predictive models helped strategists identify swing voters, while natural language processing tools generated persuasive emails, speeches, and even text messages.

While this precision brought efficiency, it also blurred ethical lines. Critics argued that such granular targeting risked manipulating voters, exploiting their fears and preferences to sway decisions. The question remains: where is the line between persuasion and coercion, and who decides when it's crossed?

Misinformation in the AI Era

One of the most contentious issues was AI’s dual role in combating and spreading misinformation. While platforms like Meta and X implemented advanced AI algorithms to detect fake news and deepfakes, bad actors used the same technology to create hyper-realistic fabrications. Viral videos featuring AI-generated versions of candidates saying or doing things they never did shook public trust and exposed the limitations of current countermeasures.

As 2025 progresses, tech companies are ramping up efforts to improve these systems. However, the arms race between creators of misinformation and those fighting it is far from over. Legislators and tech leaders must collaborate to ensure voters are armed with accurate information in future elections.

AI and Voter Integrity

The 2024 elections also saw the use of AI to verify voter identities, particularly in mail-in and absentee voting. While this enhanced security in many states, critics pointed out that such systems often require access to technology that not all voters have. The disparity risks disenfranchising marginalized communities, raising concerns about equity and fairness in a democracy that prides itself on universal suffrage.

Moving forward, the focus must be on creating inclusive systems that maintain security without alienating voters. AI has the potential to streamline the voting process, but only if implemented with accessibility in mind.

The Need for Transparency

One of the major criticisms of AI’s role in the 2024 elections was the lack of transparency. Voters were often unaware of how AI tools were influencing the information they received, the ads they saw, or the decisions made by campaigns. This opacity undermines trust and fuels skepticism about the democratic process.

In 2025, there is growing pressure for regulations requiring campaigns to disclose their use of AI. Transparency is not just an ethical imperative—it’s a way to rebuild faith in political institutions.

AI Beyond Elections: Policy Development

The impact of AI on politics isn’t limited to elections. Policymakers are increasingly using AI to analyze data, simulate policy outcomes, and draft legislation. While this streamlines governance, it raises critical questions about the role of human judgment in decision-making. Can AI truly account for the nuanced and emotional dimensions of policymaking, or does its use risk reducing governance to a purely technocratic exercise?

The Road Ahead

Public opinion on AI in politics remains divided. Some view it as a necessary evolution to address modern challenges, while others fear it could undermine democracy. These debates are likely to intensify as we move toward the 2028 elections.

To ensure AI serves as a tool for progress rather than a weapon of division, we need clear guidelines, robust oversight, and a commitment to transparency. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of its role in shaping the political landscape.

Conclusion

The 2024 elections demonstrated both the potential and the peril of integrating AI into the democratic process. As we navigate the aftermath, the responsibility lies with policymakers, technologists, and voters to ensure that AI is used to strengthen, rather than compromise, the foundations of democracy. The future of AI in politics is not just about technology—it’s about trust, fairness, and the shared values that unite us.

What do you think? Is AI a boon or a threat to democracy? Let’s discuss in the comments below.