IDEA urges election officials and citizens to prepare for AI risks

The Secretary General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Kevin Casas Zamora, called on electoral authorities and citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean to get ready for possible threats that artificial intelligence (AI) could pose to the integrity of elections. He warned that AI can accelerate the spread of disinformation and create privacy challenges, but also noted that the technology can improve efficiency and help analyse large data sets if used responsibly.

The warning was made ahead of a two‑day workshop that will bring together electoral officials from 15 countries in the region. The event, being prepared in the Dominican Republic, is coordinated with the country’s Central Electoral Board, India’s Election Commission, Microsoft, the CAPs network and the European Union. Organisers aim to discuss both the risks and opportunities that AI brings to electoral management.