Electoral Misinformation in the Age of Generative AI

​This session, featuring Dr. Tworek from the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, will examine the use of generative AI in electoral contexts. Canada's top election watchdogs recently warned that bad actors will likely use artificial intelligence to disrupt the country's next federal election, with foreign affairs deputy minister David Morrison and national security adviser Nathalie Drouin testifying that foreign adversaries are expected to deploy these technologies. This discussion will explore:

• ​How existing election law frameworks address AI-generated misinformation and microtargeting.

• ​Jurisdictional challenges in regulating AI-enabled foreign interference across borders

• ​Regulatory approaches to AI-generated campaign content, including disclosure requirements and platform accountability measures

​The reading group brings together UBC students from all academic levels with faculty members to engage collectively with scholarship in AI policy. No prior technical background in AI or policy is required.

​Dr. Heidi Tworek is a Canada Research Chair and Professor of History and Public Policy at the University of British Columbia, where she directs the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Her work explores how new communications technologies affect democracy in the past and present. A trusted voice in international policy, she has advised government officials and policymakers around the world on democracy, digital governance, and health communications. Her research and insights have been published in and featured by leading outlets including Foreign Affairs, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Politico, CNN, The Globe and Mail, and The New York Times.