The connection between the photos of Bibi and Sara, AI, and the upcoming elections
When artificial intelligence tries to enter the ballot box, democracy may pay the price.
The preoccupation with the recent photos of the Prime Minister and his wife, which were apparently edited or digitally manipulated, is, under the current circumstances, marginal and disproportionate. If the Prime Minister's wife wishes for photos to be edited in Photoshop, it does not justify the mountains of words written about the matter. These photos are merely a small illustration of a larger problem.
The discussion surrounding these images brings to the table an extremely important issue, relevant in view of the stormy election period we are approaching: the ability to forge photos, videos, and recordings using artificial intelligence (AI) to influence public opinion and decide the outcome of elections. It is clear that the upcoming elections in Israel will be conducted not only in the traditional political arena but also in a new and much more dangerous one — the arena of AI.
If in the past, time and professional means were required to create misleading propaganda, today almost anyone can create, within minutes, content that looks completely real. The greatest danger is not the existence of the technology itself, but the possibility of using it to alter reality in the eyes of the voter. A photo of a politician in a place they were not, or a video in which they say things they never said, can spread online within hours and influence public opinion long before the truth can catch up.
Democracy relies on a simple premise: the citizen receives information, examines it, and makes a decision. When it is impossible to know if the information reaching them is real or artificially produced, the democratic process itself is harmed. Therefore, there is justification for legislation that seeks to limit certain uses of AI during an election period. However, the fight against fake news must not become a tool that allows the government or any political entity to determine what citizens are allowed to see or say. Such legislation must be clear, equal, and transparent for all.
Ultimately, technology should not be the enemy. AI can improve our lives and expand freedom of speech. But in an election campaign, boundaries must be set. The real struggle is not against artificial intelligence; it is against its use to make us believe in something that is not true. The goal is for every voter to make their decision after having seen real photos and exposed themselves to real facts. We must ensure that we can agree on the facts, even during an election period. If there is no certainty in this, there is a huge problem.
Adv. Baruch (Buki) Katzman deals with civil and commercial litigation at the law firm AYR - Amar, Reiter, Jeanne, Shochatovitch & Co.
