PETALING JAYA: Artificial intelligence (AI) has immense potential in politics, but its misuse could polarise society and undermine democracy, said the Communications Ministry.
To counter misuse, political parties must invest in digital literacy, fact-checking and regulatory measures to safeguard democracy, said deputy minister Teo Nie Ching (pic).
She acknowledged AI’s potential benefits in data analytics, predictive modelling and targeted campaigns. But she said abuse can happen.
Although AI can enhance campaign efficiency, she said it also poses serious risks such as data harvesting, invasion of privacy and the use of bots to amplify political messages and create fake engagement.
“The threats extend beyond elections. The manipulation of voter opinion through false or misleading content ... will not only influence voters to make decisions based on lies or distortions, but can also fuel political polarisation and societal division – making it harder to reach consensus on important issues,” Teo said when contacted.
She added that even debunked deepfakes can irreparably damage reputations.
The long-term effects of AI-driven disinformation, Teo said, can destabilise society by undermining public trust in democratic institutions and the electoral process.
“If voters believe elections can be manipulated through AI-generated misinformation, it could lead to increased political cynicism, lower voter turnout and a weakening of democratic engagement.”
Meanwhile, Teo said existing laws are being reviewed. A new legislation – the Online Safety Bill – is in the works to make the online environment safer.
She said there are significant concerns about how easily AI can distort reality and the integrity of information in the digital space.
“In response to growing concerns, various legal measures are being considered to create a safer digital environment,” she added.
Teo said several ministries and agencies in Malaysia are now reviewing existing laws and working on new legislation to address online crimes.
“The Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are a part of this process,” she added.
She said the Online Safety Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by next month.
She added the Bill aims at strengthening Malaysia’s legal framework to tackle issues such as cyberbullying, online scams and the misuse of digital platforms.
“It is part of a broader government effort to regulate online activities and promote a safer digital environment for all Malaysians,” she said.
Teo also stated that plans to licence social media and instant messaging platforms are in the works to address growing concerns about misinformation and malicious online content, including those generated by AI.
She said this aligns with global efforts to ensure digital spaces are regulated to prevent the spread of harmful and misleading information.
