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Is online voting a secure and viable option for elections?

Debates with AI

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These arguments were made as part of the game on The Internet, Debate an AI.

The human arguments are from users on The Internet, and the AI arguments are produced using OpenAI's large language models.

Debate History
Human's Argument:

Online voting can be a secure and viable option for elections if implemented correctly, but other methods may still remain the best option for most elections. It is possible to ensure a verifiable public record online by relying on cryptographic trust. For example, blockchain could be used to give every person a unique key through which to vote and verify that their vote was counted and analyze the ledger to ensure no election fraud took place. With that being said, there are many ways in which online voting could be implemented that are not secure or prohibitively expensive. Additionally, with a fundamental change to elections, we should ensure those changes increase civic engagement or otherwise make the process more secure or efficient. Most societies or groups are not tech-literate enough to effectively utilize online voting, so its implementation risk disenfranchising many. With those considerations in mind, proven alternatives like paper ballots and voting machines with paper records remain better options for most elections for the time being. While our current technology does allow for the possibility of online voting to be a viable option for elections, its risk of incorrect implementation or inadvertent disenfranchisement of voters makes other options better for most groups.

Argument by The Internet

Sunday August 6th, 2023

AI's Argument:

In recent years, there has been a movement to allow online voting for elections. Supporters of online voting argue that it is a more secure option than traditional voting because it allows for the removal of postal and electronic vote fraud. They also argue that online voting is more convenient for voters, since it can be done from anywhere in the world. opponents of online voting believe that it is not secure enough and that it is not convenient enough for voters. They argue that online voting is difficult to manage and that it can be easily hacked.

Argument by text-curie-001 (GPT-3)

Sunday August 6th, 2023

AI Judge's Decision:
Winner: Human

The human provides a balanced argument, citing both the potential benefits and drawbacks of online voting. They acknowledge the potential for secure online voting through unique cryptographic keys and blockchain technology, but also highlight potential risks such as incorrect implementation, potential for disenfranchisement, and the cost of such systems. They present a well-reasoned argument that whilst technology might permit the possibility of secure online voting, the risks inherent in the process make other alternatives superior at the current time. In contrast, the AI presents an unclear argument with unspecific detail. They briefly mention the benefits of online voting in terms of reduced fraudulent activity and increased convenience, but their arguments against online voting are lacking in depth and specifics, for example, how it is difficult to manage and risk of hacking, without further providing possible solutions or details. The decision was particularly based on the depth, structure and clarity of the arguments presented by each player.

Human's Argument:

If online voting is allowed it could lead the way to rigging in elections. This becomes a more substantial reason as AI is advancing more than ever, and more and more technology is created such as over 1000 bots mass voting for one party. The possibilities are hardy. A 'secure' platform may pose insecure threats such as a bug or glitch that could be intentional or not. There are too many risks for the public to hop onto this idea. Another point is that under-18 voters might be able to find a way to vote online whilst faking their age this would be a huge loss to the government and country's political party as one party could have just been elected by childish tomfoolery.

Argument by Jonny

Thursday November 16th, 2023

AI's Argument:

The use of electronic voting systems has been increasing in recent years, with several countries approving of online voting for national elections. While electronic voting has many benefits, it is not without its security risks. There are several ways that electronic voting systems can be compromised, including through cyber-attacks, insider leaks, and manipulation of the voting process itself. While online voting may offer some benefits over traditional voting methods, there are still many security risks that need to be considered before it can be adopted for large-scale elections.

Argument by text-curie-001 (GPT-3)

Thursday November 16th, 2023

AI Judge's Decision:
Winner: AI

Both players have presented compelling arguments about the potential security risks associated with online voting. However, the AI wins this debate due to the more balanced and well-structured argument. The AI did a commendable job highlighting the potential risks, such as cyber-attacks, insider leaks, and manipulation, while acknowledging the existence of some benefits. On the other hand, the human presented valid points and potential risks as well, but the argument lacked the balance seen in the AI's which made it sound more bias. Additionally, the human's example of under-18 voters being able to vote online was based more on assumption rather than verified facts or evidence. For these reasons, the AI wins this round of the debate competition.

Human's Argument:

Online voting is not a secure and viable option for electronics. This is because we saw in past elections that some elections were hindered by international countries such as China, or Russia to influence the victory of a canidate who aligned with their policies. In addition, what further proves this is the fact that D.J Trump contests online voting, as opposed to voting in-person, with a canidiate himself opposing such a method.

Argument by tariq

Wednesday February 14th, 2024

AI's Argument:

Online voting can indeed be a secure and viable option for elections, and in multiple ways, it can revolutionize and streamline the voting process. First, online voting can increase electoral participation by removing logistical barriers that prevent certain demographics, such as the elderly, disabled, or those overseas, from voting. It also nullifies potential hurdles associated with physical voting, like inclement weather or long waiting lines. Second, advancements in technology today provides secure cryptographic methods to protect the privacy and integrity of online votes, addressing concerns about potential security risks. A system utilizing blockchain technology, for example, can record votes in a way that is transparent, unable to be altered, and instantly verifiable, negating the issue of vote manipulation. However, no system can be completely invulnerable and technology does have potential drawbacks. As we progress toward the future, with dedicated human oversight and continually evolving technological innovations, these challenges can be overcome. It's clear that online voting isn't just a viable option for elections, but could be the key to creating more inclusive, convenient, and efficient democratic processes.

Argument by gpt-4

Wednesday February 14th, 2024

AI Judge's Decision:
Winner: AI

The AI articulated a more reasoned, detailed and measured argument. While the human makes a somewhat solid point about potential foreign influence and the contested nature of digital voting as evidenced by former President Trump's opposition, their argument could be viewed as somewhat one-sided, primarily focusing on the vulnerabilities. In contrast, the AI acknowledges the potential shortcomings of online voting, yet highlights how advancements in technology could potentially safeguard it, and offer a more inclusive, convenient, and efficient democratic process. This acknowledgement of the complexities, along with potential solutions, shows a depth of consideration that surpasses the human's argument.

Human's Argument:

The advice from cybersecurity experts is clear: Widespread internet voting at this point is a bad idea. Two years ago a group of computer security professors and professionals began meeting at the University of California Berkeley with the goal of at least setting a baseline list of standards for how ballots could, down the road, be safely returned online.

Argument by Jxhxx.mp3.t

Tuesday April 30th, 2024

AI's Argument:

Online voting could be a secure and viable option for elections if implemented with rigorous security measures. While the risks of hacking and manipulation are undeniable, they are not insurmountable. Encrypted systems, blockchain technology, and multi-factor authentication could be employed to address many of the security threats. Furthermore, online voting could increase convenience and voter turnout, as it eliminates many barriers to voting, such as inaccessibility for individuals with disabilities and long waiting times. It also eliminates the risk of human errors in counting votes. Moreover, it could foster greater participation from younger demographics who are more tech-savvy. All these potential benefits strongly argue in favor of digitalizing the election process. Digital progression is key in every sector; elections should adapt to the technological advancements and the resulting shifts in societal norms.

Argument by gpt-4 (Easy Mode)

Tuesday April 30th, 2024

AI Judge's Decision:
Winner: AI

The AI wins this debate. While the human ends their argument prematurely, without presenting much substantial evidence or reasoning beyond stating that cybersecurity experts believe it is a bad idea, the AI provides a more comprehensive response. They acknowledge the risks of online voting, but then go on to outline potential solutions and benefits, such as the use of encryption and multi-factor authentication. Additionally, they outline broader societal advantages like increased accessibility, greater voter turnout, and a potential for minimizing human errors in vote tallying. Despite the real concerns raised by the human, without a substantiated argument or proposed alternatives, the AI's argument carries more weight.

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