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 As Brazil gears up for its 2026 presidential election, concerns about the role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping public opinion and influencing democratic processes are becoming increasingly prominent. In response to the growing misuse of AI in political campaigns, Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court has introduced new measures aimed at increasing transparency around manipulated content and curbing the spread of misinformation.  The decision reflects a broader global concern about the extent to which AI can influence voters and interfere with electoral outcomes. In recent years, the risks associated with AI in politics have become more apparent as deepfakes, digitally altered videos, images, and audio clips have circulated widely across social media platforms. Such content is often designed to mislead voters, damage candidates’ reputations, or influence public perception.  T One of the most notable examples emerged during the 2024 United States primary elections, when voters received phone calls featuring an AI-generated version of former President Joe Biden’s voice. The recording urged citizens not to vote, demonstrating how synthetic media can be used to manipulate electoral participation and blur the line between authentic and fabricated information.  T Beyond deepfakes, AI plays a significant role in determining how political content reaches voters. Recommendation algorithms influence what users see on social media, while advanced data-analysis tools enable campaigns to study voter behavior and preferences. This has contributed to the rise of political microtargeting, a strategy that delivers highly personalized political messages to specific audiences based on their interests, opinions, and online activities.  T Concerns about data-driven political influence are not new. The Cambridge Analytica scandal brought global attention to how personal data could be used to shape political messaging. The company used Facebook user data to create targeted campaign content, sparking international debates about digital privacy, large-scale data collection, and the ethical use of algorithms in politics. The Netflix documentary The Great Hack further explored how personal data evolved into a powerful tool capable of influencing public opinion and electoral decisions.  T Despite these challenges, AI is not viewed solely as a threat. The technology is increasingly being used to detect misinformation networks, identify fake accounts, and support efforts to remove manipulated content. AI-powered systems can also help journalists, researchers, and fact-checking organizations track the spread of false information in real time, making responses to misinformation faster and more effective. Companies such as Meta and Google have introduced automated tools that can detect synthetic media, identify coordinated disinformation campaigns, and label AI-generated content across their platforms.  T At the same time, governments worldwide are exploring ways to regulate the use of AI during elections. The European Union has introduced the AI Act, one of the first major legislative frameworks designed specifically to regulate artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Canada has been discussing measures to improve transparency around AI-generated political content, while the United Nations continues to facilitate global discussions on the risks AI may pose to democratic systems and human rights.  T As AI technologies continue to evolve, their influence on politics is expected to grow. While experts remain divided on whether AI alone can determine election outcomes, there is broad agreement that these technologies are already shaping public opinion. The challenge for democracies now lies in balancing technological innovation with safeguards that protect electoral integrity and public trust.