Future Shift Labs, a global think tank exploring AI and governance, on Thursday unveiled a policy paper titled “The Pervasive Influence of AI on Global Political Campaigns 2024”, that focused on how AI-driven techniques, such as generative AI(genAI), revolutionised voter engagement through personalised messaging.
The paper, unveiled on January 23 at the IPE Campaign Expo 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, provided actionable insights and global case studies. It also laid emphasis on the importance of clear regulations, ethical standards, and investment in public education to combat AI-enabled electoral interference.
The policy paper, authored by Alisha Butala, Dr Christopher Nehring, and Mateusz Łabuz, states that “Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming political campaigns worldwide, creating unprecedented opportunities while amplifying risks for democratic processes.
However, genAI has emerged as a double-edged sword. While it has enabled effective campaigning, it has also been a significant source of disinformation, eroding trust in democratic institutions.”
“For instance, the United States, classified as “severely polarised” and ranked third among 28 countries for polarisation, is a perfect example of how AI-generated propaganda exacerbates societal divisions.
Further, the U.S. ranks 1st in distrust of social media, exposing vulnerabilities to AI-driven disinformation campaigns. Russia’s Foreign Influence and Malign Interference (FIMI) activities have prominently leveraged AI tools to spread targeted propaganda,” the paper said.
Sagar Vishnoi, co-founder of Future Shift Labs, notes "Blockchain technology will become the base for other applications in political campaigns, blending seamlessly into the ecosystem, much like AI's current role”.
Nitin Narang, founder of Future Shift Labs, remarked “At its core, this research is about people - voters, citizens, and communities. Our team's work is driven by a shared commitment to understanding how AI is reshaping our democratic landscape. By shedding light on these critical issues, we hope to contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and resilient global conversation”.
Sagar Vishnoi and Glen Mpani, organiser of IPE 2025, were present at the launch.
Dr. Israel Govender, a thought leader in technology governance, added “As we reflect on AI's rapid evolution, our choices today will shape the future of democracy. This research provides a critical perspective on the impact of technology on our values and institutions, serving as a valuable resource for responsible innovation”.
The IPE Campaign Expo 2025, renowned for showcasing political innovations, and Kairos Communications, as the principal partner, provided the perfect platform for this milestone launch.
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