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13 July 2026

Spotting artificial intelligence in campaign messages

Discover how to spot artificial intelligence in political texts and protect yourself from manipulation

Spotting artificial intelligence in campaign messages

The use of artificial intelligence in politics has become increasingly prevalent, making it essential for voters to be aware of AI-written campaign messages and deepfake persuasion tactics. These tactics can be used to manipulate public opinion and influence election outcomes. To recognize AI-written campaign messages, look for linguistic tells such as overly formal language, repetitive phrases, and a lack of personal touch.

Another way to identify AI-written campaign messages is to analyze the metadata associated with the message. This can include information such as the sender’s email address, the time the message was sent, and the device used to send the message. Metadata clues can help voters determine whether a message is genuine or AI-generated.

Recognizing Deepfake Persuasion Tactics

Deepfake persuasion tactics involve the use of ai-generated content such as videos, audio recordings, and images to manipulate public opinion. These tactics can be used to create fake news stories, spread misinformation, and influence election outcomes. To recognize deepfake persuasion tactics, look for inconsistencies in the content, such as poor video quality, inconsistent audio, or unrealistic images.

Linguistic Tells

Linguistic tells are language patterns that can indicate whether a message is AI-written or not. These tells can include overly formal languagerepetitive phrases and a lack of personal touch. To identify linguistic tells, look for language that seems overly formal or repetitive, and be wary of messages that lack a personal touch.

Metadata Clues

Metadata clues are information associated with a message that can help voters determine whether it is genuine or AI-generated. This can include information about the sender such as their email address, the time the message was sent, and the device used to send the message. To identify metadata clues, look for information that seems inconsistent or suspicious, and be wary of messages that lack transparency.

Opt-out Strategies

To protect yourself from AI-written campaign messages and deepfake persuasion tactics, use opt-out strategies such as unsubscribing from suspicious email lists, blocking suspicious phone numbers, and reporting suspicious content to the relevant authorities. By using these strategies, voters can reduce their exposure to AI-generated content and make more informed decisions at the polls.

Reporting Suspicious Content

To report suspicious content, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the suspicious content and take note of any relevant information, such as the sender’s email address or phone number.
  2. Contact the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Election Commission or the Federal Trade Commission.
  3. Provide the authorities with any relevant information, such as screenshots or transcripts of the suspicious content.

By reporting suspicious content, voters can help prevent the spread of AI-generated misinformation and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

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Author

James Whitfield

James Whitfield grew up in Manchester watching Sunday football, then carved a career covering Premier League weekends and F1 paddocks. Knows the difference between xG noise and signal.