Soft power Studies

Artificial intelligence and democracy: investigating the mechanisms of artificial intelligence on elections and its consequences

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Razieh Mehrabi Koushki

, Faculty member of the Department of International Studies in Science and Technology

Abstract
With the rise of emerging information and communication technologies (ICT) and the growing use of artificial intelligence in social media, democracies face fundamental challenges regarding AI's impact on political life, requiring new analysis. This study aims to identify and explain the mechanisms through which AI influences elections—a key democratic pillar—and to analyze its adverse consequences.
Using documentary method and qualitative content analysis, this study examined theoretical and empirical sources on AI, social media, and political participation from 2016 to 2025. Through purposive sampling, the richest and most relevant texts were selected, and data were coded and categorized using thematic analysis.
Findings reveal that AI affects voters' perception and behavior through five technical mechanisms: "micro-targeting of voters," "echo chambers and filter bubbles," "deep fakes," "socio-political bots," and "disinformation campaigns." These mechanisms ultimately lead to socio-political consequences including the de-legitimization of official media, political polarization, increased hate speech and violence, and exacerbated electoral inequality.
The results emphasize that AI's impact on elections is technical-cognitive in nature (a form of soft power). Correcting misinformation faces significant cognitive challenges such as the "continued influence effect," the "worldview backfire effect," and "psychological resistance." Therefore, policies to protect elections from intelligent manipulation must prioritize proactive measures and enhance citizens' media literacy and analytical thinking

Keywords

Emerging technologies
artificial intelligence
political participation in elections
misinformation
democracy
public opinion
منابع
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