By: Eduardo Rivera S.
CEO Global Media Investment
This year more than any other, the intersection between technology and democratic processes has generated deep debates about the influence of algorithms in elections and ballot boxes. Indeed, in 2024, more than 70 countries, or roughly half of the world’s population, chose their rulers. Naturally, as the leader of a company dedicated to technological solutions, I watch with interest the development of these tools that are integrated into the electoral arena and offer opportunities that also carry risks and deserve careful thinking.
The Promise of Artificial Intelligence in Elections and Ballot Boxes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its potential in very diverse fields (such as tourism, which we have already mentioned in this column) and the electoral field is no exception. For example, researchers from the iberomexicana university one of the most well-known universities in Mexico City (IBERO) and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) developed an algorithm capable of analyzing and predicting voting trends with high accuracy, a system tested in the 2018 presidential elections and the first debate of the State of Mexico elections, showing promising results.
The capacity of these algorithms to process large volumes of datas and detect patterns offers a valuable tool to understand electoral behavior. However, it is essential to approach their application with caution, considering the ethical and social implications involved. At Global Media Investment we are punctilious in this regard.
Transparency and Trust in Electoral Processes
I have had the opportunity to analyze Unesco’s handbook Elections in Digital Times: A Guide for Electoral Professionals, which is a solid foundation for understanding the potential of Artificial Intelligence in democratic processes. This document focuses on how technological tools can reinforce transparency and guarantee equitable access to relevant information during elections, and I find it especially noteworthy that it proposes concrete strategies to detect irregularities and combat disinformation, something that we at Global Media Investment already apply with our developments.
The guide reaffirms the importance of using technology not as a substitute for human judgment, but as a complement to ensure integrity at every phase of the electoral process.
The incorporation of algorithms in elections brings up questions about transparency and confidence in the results. Citizens must be certain that the technological tools used are impartial and designed to strengthen, not undermine, the integrity of the democratic process.
It is essential that the developers of these systems maintain open communication about how the algorithms work, what data we use, and how the results are interpreted. Opacity in these aspects can generate distrust and feed theories of electoral manipulation.
The Role of Social Networks and Disinformation
For their part, social networks have become platforms where algorithms play a very important role in the propagation of information. While they offer the possibility of reaching a wide audience, they also facilitate the spread of fake news and disinformation that can influence public opinion and, therefore, electoral results.
The responsibility rests with both digital platforms and users. It is vital that technology companies take responsibility and establish measures to detect and mitigate the diffusion of fraudulent content, and that citizens develop a critical attitude towards the information they consume and share.
Ethics in the Design and Use of Election Algorithms
As professionals in the technology field, we have a responsibility to ensure that algorithms are designed and used in an ethical way. This involves considering biases that may be present in the data and models, and actively working to minimize them.
In addition, it is essential that algorithms do not become tools for manipulation, but are used to promote informed and conscious citizen participation. Undoubtedly, ethics must be the backbone that guides the integration of technology in electoral processes.
The Future of Democracy in the Digital Era
The digitalization of electoral processes is a reality that will continue to advance.
Algorithms can bring efficiency and accuracy, but their application must be paired with a strong regulatory framework that guarantees transparency, fairness and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Clearly, the integration of algorithms into electoral processes and ballot boxes represents an opportunity to modernize and improve the efficiency of elections, but it is imperative to approach this transition responsibly, ensuring that technology is used to strengthen democracy and not to undermine it.
As a leader in the technology sector, I am committed in promoting the development and implementation of solutions that respect democratic values and increase citizen confidence in electoral processes. Technology must be an ally of democracy and it is our responsibility to ensure that this is the case.
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