Nearly three-quarters of Brazilian voters disapprove of candidates using artificial intelligence in their political campaigns, according to a new survey.
The findings highlight a significant tension between the rapid adoption of generative technology by political strategists and the trust of the general public. As elections approach, this disconnect could influence how candidates deploy digital tools to reach voters.
The survey, conducted by Quaest and commissioned by O Globo, found that 73% [1] of respondents disapprove of the use of AI in campaigns. This sentiment reflects a broad skepticism toward the integration of automated tools in the democratic process.
Data for the poll was gathered from a sample of 2,004 respondents [4]. The field work for the survey began Aug. 1 [5] and continued through the first half of the month.
While the survey identifies a strong majority against the technology, it does not specify the exact reasons for the disapproval. However, the 73% [2] figure remains consistent across multiple reports of the study's findings.
The results were released Aug. 14 [6] and Aug. 17 [7], providing a snapshot of voter sentiment during the current election cycle. The nationwide survey indicates that the opposition to AI is not limited to a specific region, but is a widespread trend across Brazil [3].
Political campaigns have increasingly turned to AI for content creation and voter targeting. Despite these trends, the data suggests that such tools may be viewed as deceptive or undesirable by a majority of the electorate [1].
“73% of voters disapprove of the use of artificial intelligence in candidates' election campaigns”
The high level of disapproval suggests that Brazilian voters may perceive AI-generated campaign materials as a threat to authenticity or a vehicle for misinformation. For candidates, this creates a strategic risk: while AI can reduce the cost of content production, its visible use may alienate a vast majority of the electorate, potentially making transparency and 'human-centric' campaigning a competitive advantage in the 2026 cycle.
