Fake speeches, artificial wars: Artificial intelligence has become a campaign tool across Europe, and the EU is powerless to stop it

Friday, Feb 27, 2026

HVG

AI-generated political content is increasing in European elections, posing risks to democracy despite evolving regulations.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The increasing use of AI-generated political content is significantly strengthening campaigns in Hungary leading up to the 2026 elections, adding a new technological dimension to traditional campaigning. Examples include deepfake videos attempting to discredit opposition figures like Péter Magyar. The European Commission views these deepfakes as a clear danger to democratic debate, while legal experts note that current regulations lag behind the technology. Across Europe, concerns are rising that generative AI is becoming a sophisticated tool for disinformation, capable of creating manipulated content that damages reputations and erodes trust in political institutions. Current EU regulatory frameworks, such as the AI Act (effective August 2026) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), do not fully address the direct democratic impact of politically motivated synthetic media, leaving gaps particularly during election periods. Furthermore, emotionally charged AI-generated war campaign videos are being used to manipulate voters through fear. Even mainstream media has featured AI-generated deepfakes, increasing credibility crises. Beyond online platforms, AI is also used in offline propaganda like posters targeting political opponents. While international law protects freedom of expression, the line between free speech and deceptive content is blurring. Instances abroad show legal action against misuse of AI, such as in Lithuania for illegally synchronized AI audio, and in Italy where manipulated images and synthetic voices have caused controversy, leading to calls for stricter regulations, including a proposed Italian bill banning misleading AI-manipulated election materials.

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