Archive · 29 Jun 2025
AI's Growing Impact on Elections and Democracy
Imagine robots that can create fake pictures and videos, making it look like people said or did things they didn't.
These are used in elections to trick voters and make them believe things that aren't true.
This happened a lot in 2024.
Some countries are using this technology to mess with elections in other countries.
Even though social media tries to stop this, it's hard to catch all the fakes.
It's making it difficult for people to trust what they see and hear, which is bad for democracy.
AI tools are being used to generate fake content, including photos and videos, that can impact election results.
AI has amplified social and partisan divisions, and bolstered anti-government sentiment, especially on the far right.
In 2024, AI played a role in more than 80% of the elections, with 215 documented instances.
Autocratic countries are using AI to interfere in elections, aiming to discredit democratic governance.
Social media platforms are struggling to identify and control the spread of AI-generated misinformation.
- Who
- AI technology developers, foreign entities, political parties, and social media platforms.
- What
- AI is being used to generate fake content that is impacting election results and eroding trust in democratic societies.
- When
- The impact has been observed since 2024.
- Where
- Elections globally, with notable instances in Romania, Poland, Germany, and the United States.
- Why
- To influence voters, amplify divisions, and potentially undermine democratic governance.
Views on the impact of AI in elections
The positive and negative aspects of AI use
Impact and countermeasure
Views on the impact of AI in elections
The use of AI in elections threatens democratic governance by spreading misinformation.
The positive and negative aspects of AI use
Some argue that current laws and tools are sufficient to combat misinformation in elections.
Value of AI
Views on the impact of AI in elections
AI has the potential for good, but its negative impacts are outweighing the positive.
The positive and negative aspects of AI use
AI provides new tools and opportunities for candidates, voters, and campaigns, offering efficiency in reaching out to more voters and increasing access to information.
- Reported AI usage in elections (2024)
- 80% of elections
- Instances of AI use documented (2024)
- 215
- Harmful AI role in cases
- 69%
- Notable example of manipulation
- Romanian presidential election
- Companies mentioned
- Meta, OpenAI, Google, X