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Dutch Regulator Warns Voters Against Using AI Chatbots for Election Guidance

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The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has urged voters not to rely on AI chatbots for election advice, warning that the systems deliver unreliable and biased recommendations ahead of the October 29 national election. The regulator found that chatbots frequently directed users toward just two major political parties — the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) and the Labour-Green Left coalition — despite the Netherlands’ highly fragmented political landscape.

According to the AP’s tests, chatbots advised users to vote for one of those two blocs in 56% of cases, even when provided with the campaign programs of smaller parties. “Chatbots may seem like clever tools, but as a voting aid, they consistently fail,” said Monique Verdier, the watchdog’s vice-chair, adding that their internal operations are “unclear and difficult to verify.”

While the watchdog did not identify the four chatbots tested, it warned that their underlying algorithms may be inadvertently promoting political polarization by amplifying dominant parties on opposite ends of the spectrum. Current polls predict around 20% support for the Freedom Party and 16% for the Labour-Green Left coalition, highlighting their strong influence in public discourse.

The Dutch election follows the collapse of a right-wing coalition earlier this year, leaving the country under a caretaker government and setting the stage for a contest between conservative and centrist forces. Although it is unclear how many citizens are turning to AI tools for political guidance, the regulator said their use is “growing,” noting that more than 13 million voters are eligible to participate.

Officials Warn Against Relying on AI Chatbots for Voting Information Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election

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With just four days until the U.S. presidential election, government officials are urging voters to avoid relying on artificial intelligence chatbots for election-related information. The New York Attorney General’s office, led by Letitia James, issued a consumer alert on Friday, cautioning that AI-powered chatbots frequently provide incorrect voting information, which could mislead voters.

Testing conducted by the Attorney General’s office on multiple AI chatbots revealed that they often gave inaccurate responses to questions about voting processes, raising concerns that voters could lose their chance to vote if they follow misleading information. The alert emphasized the importance of using official sources to verify voting details as Election Day approaches, with the presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris showing a tight competition.

The increase in generative AI use has amplified fears about election misinformation, with AI-generated content and deepfakes on the rise. Clarity, a machine learning firm, reported a 900% increase in deepfake content over the past year. U.S. intelligence officials warn that some of this content is created or funded by foreign actors, including Russia, in attempts to influence the election.

Experts are particularly wary of misinformation risks associated with generative AI, a technology that rapidly gained popularity after OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022. Large language models (LLMs) are known to produce unreliable information, often “hallucinating” or inventing details about critical voting-related topics like polling locations and voting methods. Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, cautioned, “Voters categorically should not look to AI chatbots for information about voting or the election.”

A study conducted by the Center for Democracy & Technology in July examined responses from major AI chatbots to 77 election-related questions, finding that more than one-third of the answers contained inaccuracies. Chatbots from companies like Mistral, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta were included in the study. In response, an Anthropic spokesperson stated, “For specific election and voting information, we direct users to authoritative sources,” emphasizing that their chatbot, Claude, does not provide real-time updates on election details.

OpenAI announced it will begin prompting users who ask ChatGPT about election results to consult reliable news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters, or to contact local election boards for accurate information. In a recent report, OpenAI disclosed efforts to counter misinformation, disrupting over 20 deceptive networks attempting to misuse their models for disinformation, though none of the election-related activities managed to gain significant traction.

Meanwhile, state legislators are taking steps to counteract AI-based election disinformation. Voting Rights Lab reported that as of November 1, there are 129 bills across 43 states that aim to regulate the spread of AI-generated misinformation related to elections.

 

Pennsylvania Nuns Falsely Accused of Voter Fraud Speak Out

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In Pennsylvania, a Republican canvasser’s claims of widespread voter fraud sparked controversy after he alleged that 53 voters were registered at an address linked to a local Catholic church, yet no one lived there. The truth? Those voters are actually 55 nuns residing at the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.

A Misunderstanding Turns Viral

Cliff Maloney, founder of The Pennsylvania Chase, shared his findings on X, suggesting a scandal of electoral fraud. However, the nuns’ bustling monastery, which has been a community staple since the 1850s, paints a very different picture. Sister Annette Marshall reflected on the absurdity of the situation, stating, “We’ve always been very vocal about peace and justice… But I’ve never heard us accused of fraud.”

The Benedictine Sisters have deep roots in Erie, moving to their current facility in 1969, partly funded by their own musical group reminiscent of “Sister Act.” Their dedication to community service has earned them a respected place in Erie.

Combating Misinformation

Maloney leads a conservative initiative to encourage mail-in voting among Republicans, while also spreading baseless allegations about election security. Local officials are actively countering the misinformation that runs rampant on social media, including Maloney’s accusations. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt publicly commended Sister Stephanie Schmidt for standing up against disinformation.

Maloney did not respond to requests for comment from CNN.

Navigating Election Season

As Pennsylvania approaches another critical election cycle, the eyes of the nation are fixed on Erie County, which has swung between Democratic and Republican candidates in recent elections. Sister Stephanie emphasized that while they encourage voting, the Benedictine Sisters maintain a nonpartisan stance, allowing each sister to vote according to her conscience.

Many sisters have already submitted their ballots, while others plan to vote in person on Election Day. Despite their busy lives—often filled with social work and community involvement—they remain dedicated to participating in the democratic process.

Responding to Accusations

Following Maloney’s claims, the sisters strongly refuted the assertion that they are non-existent. Sister Diane Cook recounted how they would have readily provided a list of residents had the canvasser made an effort to engage with them. “We’re not a group that’s just going to let them walk all over us like that,” she declared.

With rising tensions surrounding mail-in voting and electoral integrity, accusations of fraud can have serious implications. Maloney’s narrative gained traction when retweeted by America PAC, further amplifying the false claims.

A Call for Accountability

The Benedictine Sisters understand the ramifications of social media and have publicly called for Maloney to retract his statement. They expressed that a simple apology could resolve the matter, but Sister Cook remains skeptical of his willingness to acknowledge the error.

“I’d like to get him out here and show him the house and get him to understand what the community does,” she said, underscoring their commitment to transparency and community engagement.