Kozminski Techblog

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Now that the election is over, it’s an ideal time to examine the role AI chatbots played in informing voters—a new dimension of electoral engagement in 2023. For the first time, chatbots like ChatGPT became a notable part of the information landscape for voters. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, reported that it directed over 2 million users to consult trusted news sources, such as Reuters and the Associated Press, for election updates rather than relying solely on AI.

On Election Day and the following day, ChatGPT issued its “I’m just an AI; go read the actual news” message over 2 million times, showing its commitment to providing accurate information while recommending more established sources for critical, real-time news. This was part of OpenAI’s strategy to ensure ChatGPT served as a responsible tool rather than a primary source for live electoral updates, directing users instead to respected, vetted outlets.

In the month leading up to the election, ChatGPT also helped approximately 1 million users navigate voting logistics by guiding them to CanIVote.org, an authoritative source on voting procedures, eligibility, and polling locations. Additionally, ChatGPT filtered requests involving candidate imagery, rejecting around 250,000 such prompts. This was a precautionary measure to minimize the spread of deepfakes or manipulated images, an area of particular concern during election cycles.

Interestingly, ChatGPT wasn’t the only AI platform tackling the election. Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, launched a dedicated election information hub. This hub reportedly received around 4 million views, which, while notable, remains small compared to traditional media traffic. For perspective, CNN’s digital platforms saw roughly 67 million unique visitors on Election Day and the day after, underscoring the gap between AI platforms and established media giants.

However, the metrics alone don’t capture the full picture. The significance lies not only in CNN attracting about 10 times the traffic of these AI platforms combined but also in the fact that millions turned to AI platforms in the first place. This demonstrates an emerging trust in AI as a credible source for certain types of election-related information, such as voting logistics or general knowledge, even if traditional news platforms remain the primary source for live updates.

OpenAI’s cautious approach reflects an awareness of the complex landscape AI now inhabits in the public sphere, especially around sensitive topics like elections. By design, the AI industry took steps to avoid potential missteps, a strategy that seemed successful, given the absence of significant issues or gaffes by leading AI brands this election season. OpenAI’s stance was conservative but effective, while Perplexity’s approach was more proactive, with its election hub allowing for broader user engagement.

This particular election was relatively decisive and, in contrast to 2020, involved minimal disputes, recounts, or legal battles. Had the environment been more contentious, AI tools may have faced additional scrutiny or challenges. Nonetheless, this election cycle has been a revealing experiment in how AI can responsibly support democratic processes—and the lessons learned could set important precedents for future elections.

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