INEC Warns AI Disinformation Threatens 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning regarding the potential threat posed by artificial intelligence-driven disinformation to the credibility of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, emphasized the need for electoral technology and communication to be integrated as a single discipline.

He announced that the commission is conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems and is considering a mock presidential election to test the systems' readiness. This announcement was made during a keynote address in Abuja at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.

Amupitan highlighted that the integrity of the electoral process relies not only on the ballot and technology but also on voters' understanding and trust in the information provided. He raised concerns about the increasing use of generative AI to create misleading content and the challenges of algorithmic microtargeting, which can disseminate contradictory political messages.