The following is a guest post and opinion of Manouk Termaaten, Founder and CEO of Vertical Studio AI
Governments are using AI for disinformation—an unethical, authoritarian use with grave implications for freedom and truth around the world.
In a report sent to parliament, the country’s security bureau claimed it had discovered over half a million “controversial messages” in 2025 already, most of which were on Facebook and TikTok.
“As the application of AI technology becomes more widespread and mature, it has also been found that the Chinese Communist Party has been using AI tools to assist in the generation and dissemination of controversial messages,” the report said.
Many other examples of nation-states using AI for disinformation purposes persist.
Slovakia’s 2023 election saw AI-generated audio released falsely depicting a phone call between a journalist and the leader of the Progressive Slovakia political party in which election rigging is discussed. The deepfake circulated ahead of the election and is thought to have led to the party’s loss in the election.
There are obviously major concerns with the use of AI by nation-states to interfere with the political processes of other nations. It is a huge affront to individual liberty by affecting people’s thoughts and decisions. Nation-states can use AI as a tool for propaganda to expand their power, limiting individual rights.
AI used in this manner undermines the free marketplace of ideas. It stamps out open debate in favor of government narratives, distorting political processes and preventing honest electoral outcomes.
The use of AI by governments is just another example of those in authority abusing their power. Except now, AI raises the stakes, making governments able to trick not only their own populations but populations abroad into believing untruths. It’s a slippery slope toward totalitarianism.
Misinforming individuals is a form of coercion, and populations must recognize this tactic and not fall for the deceptive practices being waged by governments against citizens.
