How the Far Right is Harnessing Generative AI in Europe

The Rise of AI in Political Propaganda

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken on a formidable role in the realm of politics, especially among far-right parties in Europe. Since the 2024 European elections, this technology has been increasingly utilized to disseminate anti-immigration sentiments and conspiracy theories, marking a significant shift in the nature of political propaganda.

Visual Propaganda on a Massive Scale

AI-generated imagery, often strikingly photorealistic, is being widely circulated across social media platforms. Such images tend to provoke fear and rejection, fueling divisions and hatred while bypassing traditional media creation barriers. For instance, we often encounter sensationalized scenarios depicting immigrant families in perilous situations or European leaders juxtaposed with destabilizing symbols.

In Italy, the far-right party, Lega, has created visuals portraying Emmanuel Macron as a “soldier of the EU” or depicting a bearded man in a state of pregnancy—an exaggerated stereotype that plays on anti-trans sentiments. These provocative images aim to penetrate the collective imagination and exacerbate irrational fears, such as the notion of a “migratory invasion.” Similarly, in Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has employed AI to craft images of an idealized Germany, showcasing characters with Caucasian features contrasted against scenes featuring veiled women. Such imagery distorts reality to reinforce a nationalist narrative.

Mobilization Through Digital Means

Far-right parties across Europe are employing comparable strategies to galvanize their supporters. In France, for example, an image of migrants arriving on European shores, combined with alarmist slogans, exemplifies this approach. This style of imagery enhances victim narratives and collective anxieties, capitalizing on increasingly sophisticated digital tools. Moreover, this trend is not exclusive to traditional far-right parties; activists and marginalized groups are also leveraging AI as a rapid mechanism to amplify their messages.

Accessibility of AI Tools

One of the key advantages of AI in this context lies in its ability to produce realistic visuals in mere minutes, requiring no technical expertise. William Allchorn, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University, points out that AI significantly lowers the barriers to content creation. Unlike traditional parties, which may be hesitant to adopt such technologies due to ethical concerns, far-right groups show no such reservations. For these organizations, AI serves as a swift and efficient tool for propagating radical ideas to a broad audience. The lack of stringent regulations surrounding these practices facilitates the unfiltered spread of these images.

The democratization of AI tools endows extremist political actors with unprecedented creative freedom. They can circumvent traditional media channels and deliver their messages directly to supporters. As this practice becomes more widespread, it raises critical questions regarding the future of political campaigns and the regulation of AI-generated content. With rapidly evolving technologies enabling the production of increasingly convincing imagery, detecting manipulative content becomes a formidable challenge.

Implications for Future Political Campaigns

The ramifications of this trend are profound, suggesting that AI could fundamentally alter how far-right movements conduct their campaigns—making public opinion manipulation more efficient and discreet. As the use of AI as a propaganda tool begins to take root, Europe may soon face new challenges concerning the regulation of digital content. The potential for AI to reshape political landscapes is just beginning, and it calls for urgent discussions on how to address these emerging threats in the political sphere.

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