Introduction — why “AI in politics” matters right now If you thought AI’s influence was limited to chatbots and image generators, think again. In 2025, AI in politics is no longer a futuristic headline; it’s an active force shaping campaigns, media, policy choices, and even everyday civic trust. From automated ad creation that hyper-personalizes messages to synthetic videos that can impersonate leaders, AI is accelerating both democratic possibilities and democratic risks. This post covers the full picture: how AI is used by campaigns and governments, how it can undermine or strengthen democratic processes, the real-world examples you should know, regulatory efforts (including the EU AI Act and state deepfake rules), practical advice for journalists and campaign teams, and 20 FAQs you can use as an evergreen reference. 1. The main ways AI is being used in politics today 1.1 Political campaigns and microtargeting Modern campaigns use AI-powered analytics to segment voters,...