East Asia Forum analyses the growing threat that artificial intelligence, bots and automated campaigning tools pose to democratic processes worldwide. The article argues that these technologies are being weaponised to create and spread disinformation at unprecedented scale, manipulating public opinion and distorting political discourse. AI-powered bots generate fake social media engagement, micro-target voters with deceptive messaging and even produce realistic deepfakes of candidates, eroding the foundations of informed public debate.

Existing regulatory frameworks are ill-equipped to handle the speed and sophistication of these tactics, creating a dangerous asymmetry where malicious actors can exploit AI tools while democratic institutions struggle to respond. The article calls for urgent international cooperation to develop a global governance framework for AI in politics, including common standards for transparency, accountability and detection of AI-generated content, and stricter regulation of social media platforms. Without coordinated action, the very fabric of democracy is at risk.