TITLE:
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Political Communication: A Framework for Understanding Democratic Resilience and Vulnerability
AUTHORS:
Daniele Battista
KEYWORDS:
Artificial Intelligence, Political Communication, Democratic Resilience, Algorithmic Personalization, Political Manipulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.16 No.4,
September
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: The progressive emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly affected the political sphere, generating a broad debate on the consequences arising from the integration of these technologies into democratic processes. The use of AI in electoral campaigns has produced a substantial transformation in the mechanisms of political communication, raising concerns regarding potential risks associated with information distortion and the manipulation of public opinion. From targeted voter identification to the generation of personalized content, AI provides political actors with innovative tools characterized by unprecedented levels of precision and effectiveness, while simultaneously generating criticism concerning possible alterations to the quality of public debate. In order to contribute to the analysis of the relationship between artificial intelligence and electoral campaigns, this article examines the use of AI-based technologies, exploring the ways in which these tools are employed to shape voter engagement and interaction. Furthermore, the study highlights that the impact of AI on democratic processes is not determined solely by the technical capabilities of the systems adopted, but also by the social, cultural, and institutional contexts in which they are implemented. The analysis demonstrates that these technologies can foster new forms of political participation and enhance the adaptability of electoral communication, while at the same time intensifying processes of information degradation and undermining the quality of public discourse.