Technology and Transparency in ElectionsCEFR B1
28 Mar 2025
Adapted from Melissa Vida, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Hartono Creative Studio, Unsplash
AI-assisted adaptation of the original article, simplified for language learners.
Technology has a significant impact on elections, especially in combating disinformation. Recently, a competition highlighted three innovative projects that demonstrated this potential. Goddard is a digital detective that employs artificial intelligence to analyze news from Ecuador. It not only detects false information but also educates users on identifying trustworthy news sources, aiming to enhance media literacy within a crowded digital environment.
VeritasAI empowers citizens by providing a platform for real-time reporting of electoral irregularities. Users can submit complaints from any device, which are then visualized on an interactive map, helping to uncover patterns of electoral misconduct. This accessibility is crucial for involving more people in electoral oversight.
PillMind addresses the complexity of political language by translating campaign promises into clear, understandable terms. The platform not only breaks down these promises but also verifies and contextualizes them, ensuring voters can engage with political content more effectively. As these projects move beyond their prototypes, they aim to secure funding and support to realize their visions fully.
The ongoing conversations and events reflect a growing community that connects journalism and technology to tackle disinformation effectively.
Difficult words
- disinformation — False information intended to mislead.
- innovative — New ideas or methods that improve something.
- analyze — To examine something in detail.
- empower — To give someone the power or confidence.empowers
- irregularities — Unusual or abnormal occurrences.
- complexity — The state of being complicated.
- verify — To confirm that something is true.verifies
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can technology improve elections in your opinion?
- What role do you think citizens play in combating disinformation?
- Why is media literacy important in today's digital world?
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