From chatbots to image generation, social media platforms have been continuously integrating AI features over recent years.

Heading into the midterms, these developments are introducing new challenges as AI is increasingly shaping voter choices. In its coverage of this ongoing development, The New York Times spoke to ISD Director of Civic Innovation Max Read, who described the midterms as “the first election where A.I. is deeply embedded into the platforms.”

The outlet also highlighted ISD’s recent report on platform preparedness ahead of the US midterms, citing its main conclusion that transparency and human oversight are lagging behind the rapid pace of AI development and integration, resulting in “meaningful gaps” in how AI content is disclosed or restricted. ISD’s findings on the risks of platforms’ relying on AI systems during fast-moving events—like elections—were also covered.

“Their [platforms’] response has been uneven, poorly documented and, in several cases, poorly suited to addressing the harms it is meant to prevent,” Max said.

The full article is available on The New York Times.