Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler said that artificial intelligence is flooding the information ecosystem with manipulated content to influence upcoming Israeli elections [1].
This development is critical because the lack of regulation creates a fertile environment for AI-driven influence campaigns. Such efforts can distort public perception and undermine the democratic process during a high-stakes electoral cycle.
Speaking on the "What Matters Now" weekly podcast hosted by Amanda Borschel-Dan, Altshuler said how AI is being weaponized to poison the information well [1]. She is a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and leads its Democracy in the Digital Age Program [1].
Altshuler said that the technology is being used to facilitate smear campaigns. These campaigns rely on the ability of AI to produce convincing but false content at scale, making it difficult for voters to distinguish between truth and fabrication.
According to Altshuler, the current environment is particularly vulnerable due to the absence of robust regulatory frameworks to govern AI use in political contexts [1]. This gap allows bad actors to manipulate public opinion without significant legal or technical deterrents.
The discussion emphasized that the speed and volume of AI-generated content can overwhelm traditional fact-checking efforts. This saturation of the information space makes it easier for coordinated campaigns to shift the narrative around candidates and policy issues [1].
“AI is being used to flood the information well with manipulated content”
The intersection of unregulated generative AI and an active election cycle creates a systemic risk for democratic stability. When the cost of producing high-quality misinformation drops to near zero, the burden of verification shifts entirely to the citizen, potentially leading to widespread voter apathy or polarization based on synthetic grievances.
