AI gives different election advice in Latvian and Russian

Artificial intelligence tools provide different answers about Latvia’s upcoming parliamentary elections depending on whether questions are asked in Latvian or Russian, LSM reported. The elections for the 15th Saeima are scheduled for October 3.

Voters who have not yet decided whom to support can consult candidate debates, LSM’s party comparison tool and parties’ published programmes. Artificial intelligence is another option, but the advice it provides may vary by language.

According to Eurostat data, more than 33 percent of internet users aged 16 to 74 in Latvia use artificial intelligence.

“It is useful because it can gather a lot of information. You see things from all sides and perspectives,” Nils said.

Edgars said AI could help users review parties’ records, while Oliver said it could make it easier to understand the choices because party websites contain so much information.

Martins and Matiss, who help companies learn to use artificial intelligence, examined how popular AI models respond to election-related questions. “I imagined that people my age might ask artificial intelligence whom to vote for in these elections. Then I thought: let’s see what different models recommend day after day when asked which party to vote for,” said Matiss Katanenko, co-founder of honeyb.ai.

The test focused on ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. The researchers said they set aside their own political preferences, used a methodology applied in Switzerland and Germany, and asked the models questions about the cost of living, security and defence, demographics, corruption and governance, healthcare, identity and language, and energy security.

LSM’s election section also provides analysis of parties, candidates and programmes, as well as detailed analysis of issues important to Latvian society and the parties’ positions on them.