Deepfakes, bots and distrust: How AI is shaping Israel's election
Source: Inquirer
Published on: 2026-10-20 06:09
For the first time, AI is playing a major role in Israel's elections. Observers warn that deepfakes, bots and influence campaigns could sway voters. In a 19-second clip posted to X, Gadi Eisenkot, a candidate for prime minister, stands with his arms outstretched and a huge smile on his face. In slow motion, he runs through a meadow toward a person who resembles his son, wearing a shirt with the words "Israeli Unity." But Eisenkot sails past him and instead embraces Mansour Abbas, a prominent Arab politician who leads the Ra'am party, running in the elections. The video was posted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's account. Opinion polls show Netanyahu and Eisenkot, who also happens to be a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, in a tight race. The AI-generated video appears to be designed to play on anti-Arab sentiment -- a big part of Netanyahu's campaign. The clip ...
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