FOR some voters, election season comes with a familiar problem: too much information and too little time.
Between work, family and everyday commitments, keeping up with candidates, parties and campaign issues can be difficult. By the time polling day draws near, some may be looking for a quick way to make sense of it all.
For financial planner Tengku Intan Baizura Tengku Malek Adian, artificial intelligence (AI) offers just that – a convenient starting point.
“And this is where AI becomes something nifty for me. Yes, I will always use AI as a tool to learn about candidates, parties or election issues,” says the Kuala Lumpur-based voter.
But nifty does not mean infallible.
Tengku Intan Baizura remains cautious about the information generated by AI tools, particularly given the possibility of AI “hallucinations” or inaccurate information.
“The decision will be based on my findings. Normally, AI tools will include the links for the articles or sources.
“If the sources are from reliable ones, I would conclude my decision based on my findings. Perhaps, do some diligence to find out on the authenticity of the articles or news.”
Executive Rachel Lingam, 25, takes a similar approach, although she is more comfortable letting AI into the conversation.
“Yes, I did use AI to help me decide on my vote. Usually, it’s ChatGPT because I’m more comfortable with it. I just asked it to summarise some issues for me, like we’re having a conversation.”
For Rachel, the appeal is less about asking AI whom to vote for and more about using it to make sense of the issues.
“I’d say it does influence me a little, but not to the point where I’d just follow whatever it says. I use it more to get a clearer picture, compare things and then decide for myself.
“Like I said, I’d have a conversation with it and go from there. But of course, after that I’d usually Google for my own research as well.”
Not everyone sees a need for AI in the first place.
Development consultant Keshminder Singh, 41, says he has never used AI tools to help decide whom to vote for.
While he acknowledges that AI can provide information based on available sources and historical records, he prefers to go directly to what candidates have actually done.
“I prefer to look directly at a candidate’s past actions, track record and what they have actually delivered,” he says.
He also tries not to be overly influenced by outside opinions, believing voters should make their own assessments.
“AI does not influence my final voting decision because I do not rely on it for this purpose. I prefer to make my own assessment based on verified information, a candidate’s actual actions and track record, and whether their actions align with what they say.”
His colleague, Grace Shalini, 39, has likewise not used AI to learn about candidates or parties.
But she believes it could still shape the way she looks at an issue if she were to use it.
“If I use it, then it may have somewhat some influence on the way how I may look at things. But they will not really decide my final voting decision,” she says.
For Grace, the final call would still come down to her own judgment, based on the issues and circumstances at the time.
