"2024: The Defining Year for Global Democracy and Elections"

The year 2024 is pivotal for global democracy with over 80 national elections impacting 52% of the world's population. These elections face unprecedented threats from disinformation, foreign influence, and the misuse of generative AI tools, exacerbated by technology companies' reduced focus on trust and safety teams. Social media platforms play a critical role in information dissemination, yet they struggle with content moderation and are subject to diverse and sometimes conflicting regulations worldwide. The integrity of the electoral process is at risk, and there is an urgent need for governments, civil society, and tech companies to collaborate and invest in measures to protect democratic processes. Initiatives include increasing support for information monitoring, engaging local civil society, understanding the impact of AI on information flow, and educating voters on discerning credible information.