The 2024 Indonesian elections have exposed the alarming impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the democratic process, highlighting the need for urgent regulation and strategies to combat disinformation and manipulation. The use of AI-generated content, including deepfakes and cartoons, has been shown to influence voter perceptions and behaviours, with a significant portion of respondents believing the content to be genuine. This raises concerns about the potential for AI to corrode the integrity of future elections. The study also found evidence of selective exposure and selective belief, where respondents were more likely to encounter and believe disinformation that favoured their preferred candidates. To safeguard fair and representative elections, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, including transparency, regulations, and empowering voters with critical media literacy skills.

AI’s Dark Side in Elections
Countries should regulate AI-generated political content across the entire information supply chain and devise strategies for combating disinformation and manipulation.
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