The deployment of AI in political campaigns has gained momentum, with various organizations leveraging this technology to influence voter behavior. In India, significant financial resources are being allocated to AI solutions for voter segmentation, identification of swing voters, and the delivery of personalized messages via robocalls and chatbots during the 2024 general elections. Similarly, in Taiwan, researchers have observed operations linked to China utilizing generative AI to create nuanced disinformation, including deepfakes and biased messaging aligned with the Chinese Communist Party.
There is growing concern that similar technology may soon impact elections in the United States, especially as foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran are reportedly enhancing their influence operations. These entities have established networks that include troll farms and bot accounts, which could be further amplified through open-source AI tools capable of generating localized political content. The implication is that these operations could diminish the need for human operators familiar with local contexts, as AI could effectively impersonate various community figures.
Political campaigns in the U.S. are also anticipated to adopt AI strategies that streamline voter segmentation and message testing, allowing for rapid adjustments based on real-time feedback. Despite these advancements, most U.S. policymakers have not adequately addressed the broader implications of AI in persuasive campaigns beyond the focus on deepfakes.
In contrast, the European Union has taken steps to categorize AI systems aimed at influencing voter behavior as “high-risk,” subjecting them to strict regulations through its 2024 AI Act. By comparison, the U.S. lacks comprehensive guidelines to define political influence operations and lacks a unified infrastructure to monitor AI-generated content across platforms. Although there have been attempts at regulation, including proposals by the Federal Election Commission and limited state legislation, these efforts remain fragmented and do not fully cover digital campaigning practices.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/05/1128837/the-era-of-ai-persuasion-in-elections-is-about-to-begin/