Carnegie Endowment - Can Democracy Survive the Disruptive Power of AI?

Carnegie Endowment's analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the emerging threats posed by generative AI to democratic institutions. The core argument centers on how AI technologies, particularly large language models and image generation tools, can be weaponized to create sophisticated misinformation, manipulate electoral processes, and undermine public trust. By enabling malicious actors to produce highly convincing synthetic content at unprecedented speed and scale, these technologies challenge the fundamental information integrity that democracies rely upon. The report highlights multiple dimensions of this challenge, from AI-generated deepfakes in political campaigns to the potential for foreign interference and digital authoritarianism. While acknowledging the innovative potential of AI, the authors emphasize the urgent need for a multi-faceted response involving technological solutions, regulatory frameworks, and public education. Key recommendations include content watermarking, platform accountability, digital literacy programs, and international cooperation to develop harmonized standards for detecting and mitigating AI-generated disinformation. The analysis serves as a critical wake-up call for policymakers, tech companies, and citizens about the profound epistemic risks emerging technologies pose to democratic discourse.