The Rise of AI in Kerala's Local Body Elections

In the context of the ongoing local body elections in Kerala, political parties are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their campaign strategies. The most prevalent application of AI has been in content creation, with parties utilizing AI tools to generate posters and videos that are disseminated across social media platforms. For instance, Vaishnavi Sailesh, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] candidate in the Enath division of the Pathanamthitta district panchayat, has gained significant attention for her AI-generated images. One image features her alongside the late CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan, while another depicts her participating in a party rally. Sailesh noted on social media that she created these images using Google Gemini, emphasizing her innovative approach to engaging voters.

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Similarly, Renju M. Joy, a Congress candidate in the Thumpamon division of the Pandalam block panchayat, shared a 1.34-minute AI-generated video that chronicles his political journey, highlighting the influence of door-to-door campaigns during his childhood. Ranjith Balan, the State president of the All India Professionals Congress, confirmed that candidates from his organization are utilizing AI for quick video production and image editing, showcasing a shift towards modern campaign methodologies.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also adopted a strategic approach to AI in its election campaign. The party has been actively posting AI-generated content, often satirical in nature, targeting political opponents on its official social media channels. Anoop Antony, the State general secretary of the BJP, stated that the party has historically been a leader in employing advanced technology for social media campaigns and is now intensifying its use of AI at a micro-level in Kerala.

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Despite the growing trend of AI utilization in campaigns, some voices within the political landscape express skepticism regarding its impact. M. Sivaprasad, the State president of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), remarked that while some Left candidates have utilized AI-generated posters and videos, there has not been a widespread application of AI in their campaigns. This highlights a potential divide in the adoption of technology among different political factions.

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Political leaders have acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in electioneering. Ranjith Balan emphasized that professionals participating in local elections have embraced new-generation campaign methods, while Anoop Antony underscored the BJP's commitment to leveraging technology to gauge public sentiment through AI tools.

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• “This is the first time I’m stepping into electoral politics. I wish I could meet comrade VS in person and sought his blessings. I have created the image in Google Gemini using a prompt I thought of,” — Vaishnavi Sailesh, CPI(M) Candidate

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• “The BJP at the national level has always been a frontrunner in social media campaigns using advanced technology. This time in Kerala, we are using technologies including AI aggressively at the micro-level too,” — Anoop Antony, State General Secretary, BJP

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The integration of AI into Kerala's local body elections marks a significant evolution in political campaigning, with parties exploring innovative methods to connect with voters. As AI continues to shape the electoral landscape, its effectiveness and ethical implications will likely remain subjects of discussion among political analysts and the electorate alike.

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