AI-Generated Deepfakes Threaten Election Integrity as Scotland Prepares for 2026 Vote

The rise of AI-generated content is making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic and fabricated information, posing significant challenges to public discourse and democratic processes worldwide.

Research indicates that false information spreads six times faster than accurate news, with automated networks artificially boosting content popularity through mass “likes” and shares to manufacture trending topics.

The recent Irish presidential election in October provided a stark warning of AI’s disruptive potential. “Deepfake” videos and false news reports claimed that leading candidate Catherine Connolly had withdrawn from the race. These sophisticated fabrications featured AI-generated footage purporting to show Connolly herself announcing her exit, followed by counterfeit news segments with simulated journalists discussing her supposed withdrawal.

Despite this coordinated disinformation campaign, Connolly ultimately won the election. However, the incident has raised serious concerns about similar tactics being deployed in upcoming electoral contests, including Scotland’s Holyrood parliament elections scheduled for May 2026.

“With such a blatant attempt to influence an election so close to home, what influence might these forces, often based outside of the country, have in shaping democracy in Scotland?” asks the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which has launched an awareness initiative as part of its Scottish Election 2026 Programme.

The society recently conducted a series of events across Scotland, including two in Ullapool, examining how information is created, shared, and weaponized in electoral contexts. Findings point to growing public mistrust in official information sources, creating fertile ground for alternative narratives based on false information.

“Some forces are clearly tapping into this feeling of discontent by attempting to provide an alternative view, often based on fake information, that offers simplistic answers to complex issues such as immigration or climate change,” notes the Society. AI-generated content enables false information to spread rapidly through social media networks, with examples of AI-driven misinformation already appearing in Scottish politics.

The vulnerability of younger voters is particularly concerning. According to polling by the John Smith Centre, 58 percent of 16 to 19-year-olds get their news from social media, with 49 percent trusting these platforms more than traditional media outlets.

Government bodies are beginning to respond to these challenges. The UK Government’s Online Safety Act of 2023 grants ministers regulatory powers over harmful online content, while the Scottish Government recently unveiled a Digital Strategy that includes provisions for improving digital literacy among young people.

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland is promoting information literacy by positioning libraries, especially in schools, as countermeasures against misinformation. Meanwhile, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, has produced a “FalseWebs Network Policy Paper” addressing the proliferation of fake information sources.

These developments raise questions about the future role of mainstream media, with its trained journalists adhering to ethical codes and editorial standards regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. As unregulated media outlets continue to gain traction, maintaining fact-based journalism becomes increasingly vital.

“There is a pressing need for support to help us all gain the skills to recognize what is credible information,” say Shonaig Macpherson and Professor Des Thompson, co-chairs of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Scottish Election Programme 2026. “Not just in schools, but for society as a whole, we need to ensure people have the skills to make decisions based on credible information.”

As Scotland approaches its 2026 elections, the challenge of navigating an information landscape riddled with sophisticated AI-generated falsehoods will require heightened vigilance and critical thinking from voters and institutions alike.