Recent reports, including one from Deutsche Welle, suggest that voters from various countries are increasingly turning to chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, for guidance on their voting decisions. This trend raises alarm among experts and challenges electoral regulators who must contend with the implications of technology's influence on democracy. Notably, a survey indicates that 9.7% of Brazilians utilize chatbots as a source of information, with the percentage climbing to 13.3% among voters aged 25 to 34.

The article emphasizes the urgent need for discussions surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence systems in political contexts. It references a prior publication in Folha that critically examines the potential risks associated with relying on AI-generated responses for candidate selection. The growing use of technology in political decision-making raises questions about information accuracy and the risk of manipulation, necessitating a comprehensive framework to address these issues effectively.

Moreover, the author contextualizes the current fears surrounding AI and digital networks within a historical pattern of societal panic over new communication technologies. Drawing parallels with past innovations like comic books, cinema, and television, the article suggests that the societal response to chatbots reflects an ongoing wariness towards the impact of technological advancements on public discourse and political choices. As debates about regulation intensify, it is vital to balance innovation with safeguards to protect the integrity of democratic processes.