Indian politicians employed deepfakes to aid in campaigning during the 2024 election

The claim that Indian politicians employed deepfakes to aid in campaigning during the 2024 election is substantiated by multiple sources. Reports indicate that AI-generated deepfake versions of politicians were widely used to reach voters, with some campaigns creating holographic avatars and personalized messages using cloned voices and video deepfakes. This technology was employed not only to promote candidates but also to potentially discredit opponents, although ethical boundaries were sometimes maintained by creators like Divyendra Singh Jadoun, who refused unethical requests. The use of deepfakes in the election has raised significant concerns about misinformation and its impact on voter perception, with experts warning about the potential for AI-generated content to spread false information rapidly. The Election Commission of India and tech companies have taken steps to address these issues, but the challenge remains substantial due to the scale and sophistication of the technology involved New Scientist, Washington Post, BBC, Al Jazeera.