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Political Ads' Dark Side: Manipulation, Bias, and Privacy Concerns

Personalized political ads can manipulate voters. AI's role in this raises serious concerns about privacy and trust.

In this image we can see an advertisement.
In this image we can see an advertisement.

Political Ads' Dark Side: Manipulation, Bias, and Privacy Concerns

Political campaigns today are increasingly digital, with targeted advertising playing a significant role. This includes ad-based segmentation, which personalizes messages to voters based on their behaviour, demographics, and political affiliations. However, this approach raises ethical concerns and can be manipulated for unscrupulous purposes.

One such strategy is 'rally 'round the flag', uniting voters under a common cause, often during crises. Another is demagoguery, using emotional manipulation and populist rhetoric to gain support. 'Dog-whistle politics' uses coded language to appeal to specific groups without being explicit.

AI Marketing Hallucination, which analyzes consumer behaviour to create personalized campaigns, has also entered the political sphere. While it can capture votes, it raises concerns about privacy, bias, and misinformation. A recent study estimated the cost of AI hallucinations at $67.4 billion globally in 2024, highlighting the risk of lost consumer trust and revenue.

Responsible use of ad-based segmentation is vital to protect voters' privacy, dignity, and well-being. Campaigns must ensure transparency and ethical practices to maintain public trust in political advertising.

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