The University of Johannesburg, the Wits African Centre for the Study of the United States, and the University of Southern California present a Virtual Conference on
Artificial Intelligence, Elections and the Future of Democracy: Global Experiences and Directions
Dates: 26 to 27 June 2024 Platform: Zoom
As half the world population goes to the ballot box this year, the global democratization process faces challenges, particularly in Africa, where electoral malpractices often lead to violence during elections. Despite visible setbacks in Europe, specifically with Brexit in the UK, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns and voting processes has not received sufficient attention, especially in Africa. Building on this, a conference by the University of Johannesburg and the University of Southern California aims to explore how AI can enhance democratic processes, focusing on its potential in electoral campaigns and ensuring free and fair elections.
The conference, titled “Artificial Intelligence, Elections and the Future of Democracy and Leadership: Global Experiences and Directions,”addresses the need for AI to positively transform political practices, particularly in Africa where social media’s impact on democratization has been limited. The event comprises eight panels covering topics such as:
Panel 1: The impact of AI on political campaigns and voting processes
Panel 2: AI and good governance/leadership nexus
Panel 3: State surveillance in the era of AI
Panel 4: AI in political news and media
Panel 5: ‘Big Tech’ role and influence
Panel 6: Election finance and cryptocurrencies
Panel 7: Manifestos and party platforms
Panel 8: Theoretical and methodological perspectives
Additional panel proposals are welcome.
The conference aims to engage scholars, policymakers, and politicians in recognizing AI’s transformative potential in political processes. The conference outcomes will include, among others, the following:
- A special journal issue;
- An edited book volume;
- Generating public debate through various media; and
- Policy papers.
The overall goal is to advance discussions on leveraging AI for more effective and transparent democratic processes globally, with a particular focus on Africa.
Interested participants should please submit their abstracts of no more than 500 words by 31 March 2024 to Dr Anslem Adunimay at (anselma@uj.ac.za), with the subject line ‘AI Elections Conference’. Feedback on acceptance will be provided no later than 15 April 2024. Drafts of full papers are requested by 1 June 2024.
It is recommended that an abstract consist of the research question being investigated, the methods used, (anticipated) findings, and the intended contribution to the literature.