Our 2024 research into the use of generative AI by French political parties during European parliamentary and legislative elections revealed right-wing parties using AI-generated images to amplify anti-EU and anti-immigrant narratives. None of the AI-generated images were labeled.

Our follow-up during this year’s French municipal elections reveals:

-The majority of AI-generated content uploaded by political parties remains unlabelled, even when AI watermarks (such as SynthID) are present. -A normalization in the use of generative AI, increasingly replacing human-made campaign materials. -AI is used not only for photorealistic images but also for stylized, cartoonish imagery to reinforce key campaign messages, including anti-immigrant narratives. -Use remains most pronounced on the right and far right, particularly Renaissance and Reconquête, with one instance from the Communist Party of France.

Under the Digital Services Act, platforms must mitigate electoral risks, including through clear labelling of AI-generated content.