Tech-facilitated gender-based violence through AI during elections | Elections and Technology Reader Issue No. 09

June 23, 2026 - 12:59

A new report from election observers highlights a growing threat to democratic processes: the use of artificial intelligence to commit gender-based violence during electoral periods. The analysis, part of a broader examination of technology in elections, warns that AI tools are being weaponized to target women candidates, journalists, and voters with unprecedented scale and sophistication.

Deepfake videos, voice cloning, and automated harassment campaigns are now common tactics. Malicious actors can create realistic but fake content showing female politicians in compromising situations or generate abusive messages at scale. This technology lowers the barrier for perpetrators while making it harder for victims to prove the content is fake.

The report notes that such violence has a chilling effect on women's political participation. Female candidates may withdraw from races or self-censor online. Women journalists covering elections face similar risks, potentially reducing critical reporting. The problem is global, affecting both developed and developing democracies.

Recent approaches to regulating AI in elections remain uneven. Some countries have introduced laws requiring clear labeling of AI-generated political content. Others rely on voluntary commitments from tech platforms. The report suggests that current measures are insufficient to address the specific harms of gender-based violence, which often combines AI-generated content with coordinated online harassment.

Observers recommend stronger platform accountability, better digital literacy programs for women, and legal frameworks that recognize AI-facilitated abuse as a distinct form of electoral interference. Without action, the report warns, AI could further entrench gender inequality in political representation.