The imminent surge of artificial intelligence approaches.
In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), the use of AI in political discourse is becoming increasingly prevalent. This is particularly evident in the case of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been employing AI to manipulate public perception through targeted visualization of well-known politicians.
As the potential for AI to shape public opinion and political discourse grows, so does the urgency for regulation and enlightenment. The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), which came into effect in August 2024, is shaping the regulatory landscape for AI in German politics. This comprehensive legislation establishes rules for providers, deployers, and importers of AI within the EU, with a focus on transparency, risk assessment, and the prevention of discriminatory or harmful practices by AI systems.
The AI Act is being rolled out in phases, with key provisions for general-purpose AI models and high-risk systems becoming enforceable in August 2025 and beyond. As Germany is an EU member state, German political uses of AI must comply with these EU-wide standards.
In addition to regulation, efforts to increase media literacy are essential. From February 2025, the AI Act requires steps to promote AI literacy, including awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. These efforts aim to help citizens recognize AI-generated content, understand its implications, and critically assess information encountered online.
Within Germany, public institutions, media regulators, and educational bodies are expected to integrate AI awareness and digital literacy into their programs. This includes teaching citizens how to identify synthetic media and understand the limitations and risks of AI-generated content in political communication.
One study has shown that people react more strongly to emotional content than to whether it is real. In the case of the AfD party, posts with AI-generated content on average received 52 likes, while posts without AI only garnered 20. The AfD is particularly strategic and comprehensive in its use of AI, particularly for emotional and polarizing content. Out of the analyzed posts, only 550 were created with AI.
As AI technology advances, the next stage is AI-generated videos. Google's new video AI, "Veo3", can handle complex actions like cutting hair, pouring coffee, or chopping vegetables, and can generate sounds and dialogues via text prompt. While the model for AI-generated videos is not yet available in Germany, it won't be long before it is. The first AI-generated stand-up comedy routines, street interviews, and fake news segments have already been created.
The only thing standing between fun and misinformation with AI-generated videos is intent. AI can be used specifically for discrediting in the political realm. The AfD often enhances posts about migration and internal security with AI-generated images, such as of migrant hordes, to evoke emotions like fear and anger. In 85 percent of cases, there is no indication that the content is AI-generated in the AfD's posts.
Social education must teach how to recognize and critically question AI content. The key efforts to increase media literacy include integrating AI literacy into school curricula and public information campaigns, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated content in media and political communications, and informing citizens about the capabilities and risks of AI in shaping public opinion and political discourse.
In summary, German politics must comply with the EU’s AI Act, which regulates AI-generated content and mandates efforts to increase media literacy regarding AI. These measures are implemented in phases, with ongoing governance and public awareness initiatives designed to empower citizens to critically assess AI-generated information.
- The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) not only regulates AI providers, deployers, and importers within the EU but also mandates initiatives to promote AI literacy, such as awareness campaigns and educational programs.
- In the rapidly advancing world of AI technology, it's crucial for citizens to comprehend AI-generated content and its potential implications, as they may instinctively react more strongly to emotional content than its authenticity, a phenomenon that political parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) capitalize on.
