Defending Truth and Democracy in the Age of AI: A Framework for Empowering Voters Against Persuasion and Misinformation with AI Literacy

Abstract

Witnessing the rising impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a post-truth environment, our senses’ credibility wanes as the distinction between the real and the imagined becomes increasingly hazy. This study examines AI-generated content and deepfakes’ effects on voters by analyzing their use in Turkish and American politics over the past decade. The ease and speed of creating fake news with AI necessitate constant verification, yet regulation is often lacking, heightening daily anxiety about reality. With the EU’s imminent AI law, this article highlights the dangers of media advocacy (the strategic use of media to influence public opinion) and misinformation (spreading incorrect or misleading information). Through a meticulous literature review, press release analysis, and case studies, the study assesses their posible persuasive impact on voters, elections, and democracy. It identifies the associated risks and proposes a framework to empower voters using technology to reinforce “truth filters,” Intelligence Augmentation, and “AI literacy.” Two concepts that were developed side by side, but with different intentions, while AI aimed to create digital intelligence, Intelligence Augmentation focused instead on using technology to enhance the human capacity.