Online harassment and abuse faced by women in politics, worsened by AI-driven disinformation

Source: The post online harassment and abuse faced by women in politics, worsened by AI-driven disinformation has been created, based on the article “Big Tech’s fail — unsafe online spaces for women” published in “The Hindu” on 5th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3– Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Context: The article discusses the online harassment and abuse faced by women in politics, worsened by AI-driven disinformation. It emphasizes the failure of social media platforms and tech companies to control harmful content and calls for better safeguards.

For detailed information on Social and Political Impacts of AI read this article here

What challenges do women in politics face with AI-driven disinformation?

1. Women in politics, especially high-profile figures like Kamala Harris, face AI-generated deepfakes and disinformation.
2. Kamala Harris’s campaign was attacked with fake videos, including one shared by Elon Musk, using cloned voice technology.
3. These videos misrepresented her, questioning her capability and integrity.
4. Other women politicians, such as Nikki Haley, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Bangladeshi politicians Rumin Farhana and Nipun Roy, also faced similar targeted online harassment.

How does online harassment affect women differently than men?

1. Online abuse against women is often gendered, focusing on objectification, sexually explicit content, and personal attacks. Men may face criticism of their actions, but women are targeted based on their appearance and character.
2. Women politicians are trolled more harshly with racist, sexist, and sexualized content. For example, Kamala Harris was mocked by Donald Trump, while Megan Kelly and Ben Shapiro questioned her career progression.

What role do tech companies play in this problem?

1. Big Tech companies are criticized for not controlling the spread of harmful content. They often claim immunity under ‘safe harbour’ protections, which shields them from liability for user-generated content.
2. They are accused of not investing enough in content moderation tools to combat disinformation.
3. Harmful content often remains on platforms, causing lasting harm to individuals. For instance, the viral spread of deepfake videos with millions of views remains a challenge.

For detailed information on Governance of AI technology read this article here

Is technology empowering women, or is it causing harm?

1. Although technology is seen as a tool for empowerment, it can also amplify gender biases.
2. AI algorithms, often designed with limited diversity in input data, sometimes reflect and reinforce societal stereotypes.
3. The lack of female AI developers in companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI contributes to this issue, as technology often reflects the biases of its creators.

What should be done for making online spaces safer for women?

1. Label and Remove Harmful Content: Labelling AI-generated content isn’t enough; harmful content, especially explicit materials, should be removed immediately to prevent further damage.
2. Enhance Female Representation in Tech: Increasing the number of female AI developers can help create more gender-neutral technology. Companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI have a low percentage of female developers, which affects AI outcomes.
3. Implement Non-Technical Safeguards: Alongside technical improvements, regulations, and fines can hold platforms accountable, as suggested in The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman.
4. Involve Safety Researchers: Conduct simulation exercises to detect gender biases in AI, ensuring fair and safe digital spaces for all.

Question for practice:

Examine how AI-driven disinformation uniquely impacts women in politics and the role of tech companies in addressing this issue.