Election Information Hub: A New Approach in the AI Field

Introducing Perplexity’s Election Tracker

On Friday, Perplexity launched an election information hub that relies on data from The Associated Press and Democracy Works to provide live updates and information about the 2024 US general election, which takes place on Tuesday, November 5. The platform will offer live updates on elections using data from the two organizations, allowing users to stay informed on presidential, senate, and house races at both a state and national level.

Interactive Features

As of Monday, Perplexity’s hub currently provides interactive information on voting requirements, poll times, and summaries about ballot measures, candidates, policy positions, and endorsements. Users can also ask questions about the information, similar to using a chatbot like ChatGPT.

Election Tracker Chart Interface

A screenshot of the Perplexity election tracker chart interface can be seen below. [A screenshot of the Perplexity election tracker chart interface.]

Accuracy Concerns

Perplexity describes its new elections hub as “an entry point for understanding key issues.” However, like other AI models, Perplexity can produce confabulations (plausible incorrect information) when generating responses. This could present an accuracy problem because the site’s Voter Guide service uses AI language models to summarize and interpret information pulled from the web.

Rivals’ Approach

Competitor AI assistants from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are currently wary about accidentally providing misinformation and direct users elsewhere or decline to answer election questions. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search directs election result queries to The Associated Press and Reuters.

Conclusion

Perplexity’s election tracker is an exception in the AI field, providing election information in a way that others are not. However, accuracy concerns remain due to the potential for AI language models to produce incorrect information. It is important for users to verify the information provided through other trusted sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the source of the data provided on Perplexity’s election tracker?

A: The data provided on Perplexity’s election tracker comes from The Associated Press and Democracy Works.

Q: Can I ask questions about the information on Perplexity’s election tracker?

A: Yes, you can ask questions about the information on Perplexity’s election tracker, similar to using a chatbot like ChatGPT.

Q: How does Perplexity ensure the accuracy of its election information?

A: Perplexity uses data from reputable sources, such as The Associated Press and Democracy Works, to provide accurate election information. However, AI language models used on the platform can still produce incorrect information, so users are encouraged to verify the information through other trusted sources.