ChatGPT and other AI bots made huge errors before Scottish election, study finds
A recent study by Demos revealed that AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, made significant errors during the Scottish election. The Electoral Commission is calling for new regulations to address misinformation spread by these AI tools. The findings highlight the urgent need for accountability and accuracy in AI platforms to protect voters and democracy.
- ▪Demos found that AI services provided misinformation to 34% of the questions posed during a simulation related to the Scottish election.
- ▪ChatGPT gave incorrect information in 46% of its responses, including fabricating an expenses scandal.
- ▪The Electoral Commission is urging the introduction of legal frameworks to hold AI companies accountable for misinformation.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Party campaign posters at a polling station in Edinburgh. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPAView image in fullscreenParty campaign posters at a polling station in Edinburgh. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPAAI (artificial intelligence)ChatGPT and other AI bots made huge errors before Scottish election, study findsExclusive: Electoral Commission calls for new controls, as Demos finds tools made up fake scandals, invented candidates or gave wrong date UK politics live – latest updates Severin Carrell Scotland editorWed 20 May 2026 10.56 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Electoral Commission has called for new legal controls over misinformation from AI chatbots, after a thinktank found they had made serious mistakes during the recent Scottish election.The thinktank Demos said its investigation…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from World news | The Guardian
