Tech & Business with April Walker: How Politics and Technology Are Coming Together.
Politics and Technology: A Powerful Partnership
In today’s world, the connection between politics and technology is stronger than ever, influencing how societies operate and political processes evolve. Technological advancements have revolutionized communication, information sharing, and redefined political participation, campaigning, and governance. With the current political landscape, AI advancements, and countless communication platforms, we’ll dive into how technology is reshaping politics—covering topics like the rise of digital grassroots movements, the dangers of hackers and deepfakes, the clash between social media and traditional media, and the future of politics after elections.
Grassroots Movements in the Digital Age
Grassroots movements have traditionally relied on in-person meetings, community gatherings, and physical rallies to build support and create change. However, digital technology has transformed these efforts, allowing movements to reach wider audiences with incredible speed and efficiency. Social media, email campaigns, and online petitions are now essential tools for organizers, enabling real-time updates and the mobilization of supporters across the globe. For example, during the 2024 presidential election, platforms like Zoom played a pivotal role in rallying support for Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Starting with Black women and expanding to a diverse group of supporters, Zoom calls not only raised millions of dollars in donations but also amplified Harris’ message and actively countered misinformation from her opponents.
This isn’t the first time social media has shown its power in organizing protests and rallying global support. For example, during the Arab Spring of 2010-2011, platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook played a crucial role in coordinating demonstrations and sharing real-time updates, which led to major political shifts in the region. Likewise, modern movements like Black Lives Matter have effectively used digital tools to amplify their message, organize protests, and raise awareness worldwide.
Cyber Threats and Deepfakes
While technology has empowered political movements, it has also introduced new threats to the integrity of political processes. Hackers and deepfakes are two major challenges in this area. Cyberattacks on political parties, government institutions, and election infrastructure have become more frequent, endangering the security and fairness of elections. For instance, the 2016 Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) exposed the vulnerabilities of political organizations to cyber threats. Today, with advancements in AI, foreign actors are using more sophisticated methods to influence the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election.
Deepfakes—manipulated videos or audio recordings that look and sound real—pose another serious threat. These forgeries can spread misinformation, damage political reputations, and sway public opinion. A recent example includes AI-generated images of music star Taylor Swift falsely endorsing Donald Trump, when in reality, she publicly supported Kamala Harris. The growing potential for deepfakes to erode trust in political figures and institutions is alarming, and as technology evolves, it’s crucial to improve detection and defense against these threats to safeguard democracy.
Social Media vs. Traditional Media
Social media has dramatically changed how political communication works. In the past, traditional media like newspapers, TV, and radio controlled the flow of information, but now social media has democratized it, allowing people to instantly share news, opinions, and updates. This shift has both advantages and challenges for politics.
On the positive side, social media lets politicians connect directly with the public, promoting transparency and engagement. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook enable politicians to share their views, respond to constituents, and target specific demographics that need attention. However, the lack of regulation on social media also allows misinformation, fake news, and echo chambers to thrive, reinforcing people’s existing beliefs. The narratives on different platforms can be strikingly different, depending on political party affiliations.
Despite its speed and global reach, social media can’t replace the reliability of traditional media, which upholds editorial standards and fact-checking. But traditional media now struggles to keep up with social media’s pace, creating a complex information landscape that demands critical thinking and media literacy from the public.
What’s Next After the Election
As we approach the upcoming Presidential election and look beyond election day, the focus will shift to governance and fulfilling campaign promises. Technology will continue to be a key player in this phase, with governments using digital tools to enhance efficiency, transparency, and engagement with citizens.
The post-election period will likely require a strong focus on combating misinformation and cyber threats. Governments and organizations must invest in cybersecurity, digital literacy, and regulatory frameworks to protect the integrity of political processes. As technology rapidly advances, politics will increasingly integrate these tools while balancing their benefits with the need to preserve democratic values, institutions, and public trust. Rather than fearing technology, we must embrace its potential, as innovations like AI offer competitive opportunities that could profoundly benefit society. As Vice President Kamala Harris stated during the Democratic National Convention, “Once elected, I will ensure America leads the world into the future in space and artificial intelligence, so we win the competition for the 21st century and strengthen, not abdicate, our global leadership.”
