AI and Electoral Campaigns

Offers a groundbreaking analysis of how artificial intelligence is reshaping the dynamics of political communication and electoral competition

AI and Electoral Campaigns delivers a timely, in-depth exploration of how artificial intelligence is disrupting the foundational processes of electoral democracy. As AI technologies increasingly shape political communication, this much-needed book equips readers to identify and critically assess the emerging threats to transparency, fairness, and legitimacy in democratic elections. Drawing on real-world cases from across the globe--including Argentina, India, the U.S., and Slovakia--the authors present an empirically grounded taxonomy of AI-related threats, including deepfakes, firehosing, cognitive hacking, astroturfing, and psychographic microtargeting.

AI and Electoral Campaigns fills a critical gap in the literature by addressing not only the political and communicative dimensions of AI’s role in elections, but also its legal and ethical implications. The authors propose a clear framework to evaluate the impact of AI through principles-based analysis and present comparative insights into the regulatory responses emerging in diverse jurisdictions. With a structured approach that spans historical context, threat classification, ethical considerations, and legal strategies, the book focuses on the systemic challenges AI poses to electoral integrity.

A foundational guide for navigating the next phase of democratic resilience in the digital age, AI and Electoral Campaigns:

• Offers a global analysis of the new vulnerabilities and systemic risks AI introduces to democratic processes
• Features technical, legal, and practical insights from experts with frontline electoral policy experience
• Addresses the role of electoral management bodies (EMBs) in countering AI-driven disinformation
• Includes an in-depth review of current legislative and regulatory responses from different jurisdictions
• Highlights underexplored ＂cyberpathologies＂ in political discourse shaped by AI technologies

AI and Electoral Campaigns is essential reading for postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students enrolled in courses such as Political Communication, Media Law, AI and Society, and Electoral Law. It is suitable for degree programs in Political Science, Communication Studies, Law, and Public Policy, and also serves as a key reference for electoral officials, policy makers, and legal practitioners.

Rafael Rubio is Full Professor of Constitutional Law at the Complutense University of Madrid. A leading expert in electoral law, he has held visiting positions at Harvard, Georgetown, George Washington University and Dublin City University. He is currently a researcher at the ICCAL Lab at the Max Planck Institute of the University of Heilderberg. He headed the Research Group on Technology and Democracy at Complutense University and was affiliated with the Venice Commission. He advises international organizations on transparency, digital governance, and electoral integrity and has published extensively on political participation and freedom of expression. He is a winner of the Academic and the General Award of the World Electoral Justice Network.

Frederico Alvim is a legal expert in electoral law and disinformation, with advisory experience at Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court. He has authored several books on electoral justice, media integrity, and democratic resilience and is a founding member of the Brazilian Academy of Electoral and Political Law. He is a recipient of the National Innovation Award of the Brazilian Electoral Justice and the Academic Award of the World Electoral Justice Network.

Vitor Monteiro is a PhD candidate in Constitutional Law at the Complutense University of Madrid and holds a Master’s in Public Law from the Federal University of Alagoas. He is a specialist in procedural and electoral law, with published work focusing on digital democracy and comparative constitutional analysis. He has also won the National Innovation Award of the Brazilian Electoral Justice and the Academic Award of the World Electoral Justice Network