AI is starting to wear down democracy

Since the explosion of generative artificial intelligence over the last two years, the technology has demeaned or defamed opponents and — for the first time, officials and experts said — begun to have an impact on election results.

Free and easy to use, AI tools have generated a flood of fake photos and videos of candidates or supporters saying things they did not or appearing in places they were not — all spread with the relative impunity of anonymity online.

The technology has amplified social and partisan divisions and bolstered anti-government…