# AI-driven disinformation and electoral threats

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ai-driven-disinformation-and-electoral-threats
> Updated: 2026-09-04T09:05:49.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

The landscape of disinformation is evolving through the integration of artificial intelligence and hybrid warfare. In Europe, monitoring by the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) shows that geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Gaza drive over 50% of detected misinformation. This involves the use of AI-generated synthetic images and manipulated videos alongside traditional methods like decontextualizing authentic footage to provoke emotional responses and heighten political polarization.

These technological advancements pose specific threats to electoral integrity globally. In New Zealand, social media algorithms create divergent campaign experiences by dictating content visibility based on engagement likelihood. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, concerns are rising regarding the 2027 general elections, where experts warn that deepfakes—including cloned voices and fabricated videos—could be used to impersonate officials or candidates. Such tools may spread disinformation faster than official bodies can respond, potentially undermining public trust.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, fact-checking platforms are issuing guidance to help journalists identify AI-driven manipulation ahead of general elections. The threat to democratic stability has also been highlighted in Romania, where the Constitutional Court annulled presidential election proceedings following intelligence reports of coordinated TikTok campaigns, cyberattacks, and potential foreign interference. European Parliament member Tonino Picula has warned that disinformation has evolved into a major security threat aimed at destabilizing democratic institutions, noting that older demographics are particularly susceptible to sharing unverified information.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Disinformation and AI manipulation pose threats to regional elections

Experts and officials warn of rising disinformation threats, including AI manipulation and coordinated digital campaigns, impacting election integrity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disinformation-and-ai-manipulation-pose-threats-to-regional-elections

### 2026-08-16: AI and deepfakes emerge as new threats to electoral integrity

AI and deepfakes are becoming critical election battlegrounds, threatening to distort political narratives and voter experiences in countries like New Zealand and Nigeria.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ai-and-algorithms-pose-emerging-threats-to-electoral-integrity

### 2026-08-08: Europe faces rising disinformation via AI and hybrid warfare

Europe faces rising disinformation driven by AI-generated content, hybrid warfare, and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, impacting democratic stability and electoral processes.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-faces-rising-disinformation-via-ai-and-hybrid-warfare

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Cite as: AI-driven disinformation and electoral threats. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ai-driven-disinformation-and-electoral-threats