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MIT AI Risk Initiative
BackElectoral interference
Power concentration
Institutional trust loss

Electoral interference

A Collaborative, Human-Centred Taxonomy of AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Harms

Abercrombie et al. (2024)

SourceDOI
Sub-category
Risk Domain
4Malicious Actors & Misuse
4.1Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale

Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim of manipulating political processes, public opinion, and behavior.

"Electoral interference - Generation of false or misleading information that can interrupt or mislead voters and/or undermine trust in electoral processes."(p. 20)

Entity: Who or what caused the harm

Human

Due to a decision or action made by humans

AI system

Due to a decision or action made by an AI system

Other

Due to some other reason or is ambiguous

Intent: Whether the harm was intentional or accidental

Intentional

Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal

Unintentional

Due to an unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal

Other

Without clearly specifying the intentionality

Timing: Whether the risk is pre- or post-deployment

Pre-deployment

Occurring before the AI is deployed

Post-deployment

Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed

Other

Without a clearly specified time of occurrence

Part of Political and Economic

Other risks from Abercrombie et al. (2024) (53)

Autonomy

5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomy
OtherOtherOther

Autonomy > Autonomy/agency loss

5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomy
OtherOtherOther

Autonomy > Impersonation/identity theft

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Autonomy > IP/copyright loss

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
HumanIntentionalOther

Autonomy > Personality rights loss

5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomy
OtherOtherOther

Financial and business

4.3 Fraud, scams, and targeted manipulation
HumanOtherPost-deployment
View all 53 risks from this paper →