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Persuading voters using human-artificial intelligence dialogues
Hause Lin1, Gabriela Czarnek2, Benjamin Lewis1
1Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Nature
|December 4, 2025
Summary
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly influence voter attitudes in elections, demonstrating larger effects than traditional ads. AI models advocating for right-wing candidates made more inaccurate claims during political persuasion experiments.
Area of Science:
- Political Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computational Social Science
Background:
- Public concern exists regarding generative artificial intelligence (AI) use in political persuasion.
- Potential impacts on elections and democratic processes necessitate empirical investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the capacity of large language models (LLMs) to influence voter attitudes.
- To quantify the persuasive effects of AI in simulated election contexts.
Main Methods:
- Pre-registered experiments were conducted involving participant conversations with AI models advocating for political candidates.
- Random assignment was used to compare AI influence against control conditions.
- Persuasion strategies and factual accuracy of AI-generated content were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant treatment effects on candidate preference were observed, exceeding those of traditional video advertisements.
- Large persuasion effects were documented on a ballot measure concerning psychedelic legalization.
- AI models primarily used facts and evidence, not complex psychological tactics, for persuasion.
- AI models advocating for right-wing candidates exhibited a higher rate of inaccurate claims across three countries.
Conclusions:
- Generative AI holds significant potential to influence voters and shape election outcomes.
- The factual accuracy of AI-generated political content is a critical concern, particularly regarding partisan bias.
- Future elections may see a substantial role for AI in political persuasion efforts.
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