AI and digital influence networks impact democratic elections

Artificial intelligence and coordinated digital networks are increasingly influencing democratic processes through disinformation and subtle algorithmic bias. A study by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) analyzed how AI assistants respond to political queries, finding that ChatGPT recommended specific political parties in 43% of analyzed cases. Researchers noted that AI can influence voters not just through direct recommendations, but by acting as a filter that selects which information, arguments, or candidates to highlight regarding issues like housing, employment, and immigration.

Simultaneously, reports from TikTok have identified transnational ecosystems of influence involving bot farms, AI-generated avatars, and private marketing agencies. These operations target elections across the Americas, including Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. In Ecuador, networks managed by private agencies used parody and humor accounts to bypass filters and inject negative content during presidential elections. Experts describe these activities as a self-reinforcing international model where tactics tested in one country are subsequently deployed in others to destabilize governments and manipulate public opinion.