AI-Powered Electoral Integrity: Combating Misleading and Unreliable Information in the Dominican Republic

Application Deadline: March 7

Period project: March 22, 2024 – May 10, 2024.

This is a paid opportunity. In order to be eligible to apply for this project, you need to be part of the Omdena community and have finished at least one AI Innovation Challenge.

You can find our upcoming AI Innovation Challenges at https://omdena.com/projects.

The problem

This project is designed to confront a significant challenge that has emerged in the digital age: the proliferation of unreliable and misleading information especially during critical periods such as elections in the Dominican Republic. Phenomenon like sharing deliberately false information or mistakenly sharing false information poses a direct threat to the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. In the context of elections, this problem can undermine trust in democratic institutions and skew the electoral outcomes by spreading unfounded rumors or false narratives about candidates, policies, or the electoral process itself.

Recognizing these challenges, the project aims to develop an AI-powered detection tool that utilizes real-time data and analytics to identify, monitor, and counter the spread of unreliable and misleading information during the Dominican Republic’s election period, with a special focus on information that is relevant to youth. By providing comprehensive insights into the dynamics of this problem, the tool will enable stakeholders, including electoral authorities, civil society organizations, and the media, to have additional information to respond promptly and effectively to misleading narratives. By contributing to a better informed electorate, the project aims to support the foundational principles of democracy and promote a healthier, more informed public discourse.

The project goals

The primary aim of this project is to develop an AI-powered system for detecting and analyzing misleading and unreliable information ahead of the elections. The project will unfold in several carefully planned phases:

Data Collection and Preparation: In collaboration with local partners, both real-time and historical data relevant to electoral misleading and unreliable information will be collected and prepared. This stage is critical for building a robust dataset that the AI system will analyze to identify inaccuracies in the information, especially in information that is relevant to youth in the DR. .
AI Pipeline Development: Algorithms specifically designed to detect patterns indicative of unreliable and misleading information that affect youth within the context of the Dominican Republic’s electoral process will be created and refined. This development phase focuses on tailoring the AI system to accurately identify and analyze these activities.
Real-Time Data Processing: Systems capable of analyzing data as it is generated will be implemented, ensuring the AI system can provide timely detection of campaigns that threaten the information integrity online. This real-time processing is vital for the tool’s effectiveness in monitoring electoral integrity.
User Interface Development: A user-friendly dashboard will be designed for end-users, such as journalists, fact-checkers, and civil society representatives, to monitor and report information that is misleading and/or unreliable in an accessible manner. This interface is key to enabling stakeholders to engage with the AI system effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement: Throughout the project, regular consultations with key stakeholders will be conducted to gather feedback and adjust the tool’s development accordingly. This engagement ensures the AI system is developed with user needs and preferences in mind, enhancing its usability and impact.

Deliverables:

An MVP AI system for detecting and analyzing threads related to misleading and unreliable information, ready for testing before the elections.
A user-friendly interface for real-time monitoring and reporting of these activities that threaten information quality and integrity.
A comprehensive final report documenting the methodologies, tools developed, and insights gained during the project.

By adhering to this structured approach, the project aims to deliver a Minimum Viable Product that demonstrates the effectiveness of the AI-powered detection system and lays the groundwork for further advancements. This initiative is set to make a significant impact on maintaining a fair and informed electoral environment in the Dominican Republic, contributing to the broader goal of supporting democratic practices and fostering a more informed electorate.

**More details will be shared with the designated team.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Top Talent Projects

Top Talent opportunities come as a natural next step after participating in Omdena’s AI Innovation Challenges.

Everyone in the community is eligible to participate once they have shown the relevant skills based on the merit of involvement in past Omdena challenges and the community.

If you are looking for the next challenge after participating in one or more Omdena AI Innovation Challenges, then we believe you have made the right choice! With a healthy, pressured environment, you will be pushed to contribute, learn and grow even more.