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During the December 2025 Kosovo parliamentary elections, various social media pages engaged in a coordinated disinformation campaign using AI-generated content. This included deepfake videos of fake interviews at Pristina Airport and manipulated images intended to damage political figures and influence voter perception. Fact-checking organizations confirmed these materials were AI-generated, identifying them as fraudulent attempts to manipulate democratic processes.
The Facebook page "Tana t'zezat" allegedly posted three AI-generated videos purporting to show expatriates at Pristina Airport saying they would not vote for Albin Kurti. The videos reportedly mimicked street-interview footage by using microphones styled to resemble Kosovo television broadcasters Klan Kosova and T7, and were reportedly assessed as highly likely to be AI-generated.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns, malicious surveillance, or targeted and sophisticated automated censorship and propaganda, with the aim of manipulating political processes, public opinion, and behavior.
Also classified as
The AI tools were used to generate fabricated images and videos containing false information about political figures to mislead voters.
The incident involves a coordinated campaign using AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated images to conduct large-scale political disinformation during an election.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed
The incident was caused by human actors intentionally using AI generation tools post-deployment to create deceptive political content to influence an election.
Added categories peak at 2: Minor (Epistemic Harm, Direct)
During the December 2025 Kosovo elections, a coordinated campaign used AI deepfakes to target Prime Minister Albin Kurti and manipulate voters. While no physical harm occurred, the incident represents a substantial threat to information security and democratic sovereignty, demonstrating how accessible AI tools can be leveraged to distort electoral processes.
The AI systems were used as tools by human actors to generate specific deepfake videos and manipulated images based on direct inputs, without exhibiting autonomous planning or agency.
Limited Risk: The report describes AI-generated content such as deepfakes used to manipulate public opinion, which falls under the category of systems requiring transparency obligations so users know they are interacting with AI-generated content.
The AI systems were primarily used to generate deepfake videos of fake interviews at Pristina Airport and deepfake images of political figures to mislead the electorate.
The reports provide clear, fact-checked details about the specific Facebook pages, the nature of the AI-generated videos and images, and the verification methods used to confirm they were AI-generated. The context of the Kosovo parliamentary elections is well-defined.
None. The intent to influence the election through fabricated AI content is clear and verified by fact-checkers.
While the specific AI generation tools are not named, this does not prevent reliable classification of the incident's domain, causal factors, or harms.
Technology
Sophisticated AI Video Generation
AI tools allowed creation of highly realistic fake interviews with lip-sync.
AI Voice Cloning Tools
AI cloned voices to mimic real speech, though they remained slightly robotic.
AI Image Synthesis Software
Image generation tools created fake photos of politicians and weapon factories.
Data Inputs
Use of Real Media Logos
Training or blending real logos to deceive viewers into trusting fake videos.
Source Image Manipulation
Real photos of politicians were input into AI tools to create fake meetings.
Human Factors
Cognitive Bias of Audiences
Viewers easily believe visual media due to confirmation bias during elections.
Intentional Malicious Creation
Bad actors deliberately used AI to generate political disinformation.
Process and Methods
Lack of Proactive Moderation
Facebook failed to proactively detect and block AI-generated political fakes.
Post-Facto Fact Checking
Fact-checking organizations only verified content after it had already spread.
Management
Inadequate Risk Assessment
Social networks failed to prepare for AI-driven election interference.
Poor Integration of AI Detection
Platform managers did not integrate real-time AI detection tools like Hive.
Regulatory Environment
Absence of AI Labeling Laws
Lack of regulations requiring clear watermarking or labeling of AI content.
Weak Platform Liability
No strong legal penalties for social media hosts distributing election fakes.
AI system involved
An AI system was involved, but the reports do not identify it.
Identified by automated extraction; can differ from the alleged developers above.
