Elections in the AI Era

A settlement with Meta in the US, though imperfect, marks a significant recognition that the design of social media platforms must be regulated to protect children. In Israel, where children have been carrying three years of war on small screens, such protections are critical.

Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, Head of IDI’s Democracy in the Digital Age Program, joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on the Times of Israel weekly podcast, What Matters Now. They discuss how various actors can use AI to flood the public sphere with confusion and disinformation, the potential impact this can have in an election year, and key policy and regulatory steps that can be taken to ensure Israel's democracy is prepared for the AI-era.

A fabricated AI-generated image of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid posted on the Likud's social media accounts is a clear demonstration of a dangerous new form of election propaganda. Urgent steps must be taken to prohibit the use of such materials against one's political opponents.

With unprecedented technological tools in the hands of foreign and domestic actors, the proliferation of chatbots in the information ecosystem, and outdated regulatory frameworks, the integrity of Israel's 2026 elections will be tested like never before.

The cyberattacks we have seen since the beginning of the conflict with Iran are a reminder that the digital front of the war is not marginal. Now is the time to implement cyber regulations that can help protect the business community and civilian infrastructure.