Monitoring AI in Political Campaigns
A research initiative tracking artificial intelligence in political communications. We provide transparent, real-time insights into how AI shapes democratic discourse.
A research initiative tracking artificial intelligence in political communications. We provide transparent, real-time insights into how AI shapes democratic discourse.
Comprehensive platforms providing transparent, daily-updated insights into AI usage and political advertising across national elections.
Monitoring all posts and paid advertisements on Facebook and Instagram from German parties and candidates. We track AI-generated content across over 3,000 accounts, from national leadership to local branches, analyzing labeling compliance, topics, and sentiment.
Visit campaigntracker.deAnalyzing all posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X from parties, candidates, and selected influencers. We track AI-generated messages, labeling compliance, actors depicted, topics discussed, and whether the tone is positive or negative.
Visit campaigntracker.nlMore elections coming soon. Interested in running a CampAIgn Tracker in your country? Contact us.
The CampAIgn Tracker is an academic research initiative designed to enhance transparency in political campaigns by monitoring the use of artificial intelligence in political communications across social media platforms.
By analyzing posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, we identify AI-generated content shared by parties, candidates, and key influencers. We assess whether these posts include proper AI labels, identify the individuals featured, examine the topics discussed, and evaluate the overall tone of the content.
This comprehensive analysis empowers citizens, researchers, journalists, and policymakers to understand how AI is shaping political discourse in real time, fostering a more transparent and informed democratic process.
The CampAIgn Tracker was born at the Politechathon in mid-December 2024, organized by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. Our team was honored with the "Media Literacy" award, providing essential funding to develop and launch the tracker ahead of the 2025 elections.
Our research combines automated detection with manual expert validation to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Semi-automated detection system identifying AI-generated images and videos in political posts, with manual validation by trained experts for accuracy.
Verifying whether AI-generated content is properly labeled by parties or platforms, revealing gaps in transparency compliance.
Examining themes discussed in AI-generated content and evaluating whether positive or negative tonality prevails.
Identifying who appears in AI-generated images and videos: politicians, ordinary citizens, or public figures.
Monitoring how AI content usage evolves over time during election campaigns with interactive time-series visualizations.
Comparing likes and interactions between posts with and without AI-generated content to understand public reception and impact.
An interdisciplinary team combining expertise in political science, data science, and computational methods.
Postdoctoral researcher specializing in data-driven campaigning, computational methods, and political communication research. Developer of the "reclamer" R package for political ad tracking.
Peer-reviewed publications and working papers from the CampAIgn Tracker team.
Open-source software developed as part of our research infrastructure.
CampAIgn Tracker findings have been featured across Dutch and international media outlets. Our research documenting AI-generated political content has informed public debate about synthetic media's role in electoral politics.
The CampAIgn Tracker is made possible through the generous support of these organizations committed to transparency, democracy, and election integrity.
Provided essential funding through the "Media Literacy" award at the Politechathon in December 2024, enabling the development of the German tracker.
bwstiftung.de →Seed grant from the Amsterdam School of Communication Research examining how AI reconfigures political dynamics across communication science, sociology, and political science.
uva.nl →Supporting projects for a strong internet and empowered users. Addresses disinformation risks and promotes digital literacy regarding AI-generated content in Dutch society.
sidnfonds.nl →Organizations that provide ongoing support and collaboration across our projects.
Committed to transparency in digital campaigning, offering support to enhance monitoring capabilities and promote accountability in political advertising.
whotargets.me →Research network studying algorithmic systems and their societal impact. Platform for publishing and disseminating our research findings.
algosoc.org →For the Netherlands election, we joined forces within the Hybrid Election Integrity Observatory (HEIO) Consortium, a collaborative network formed specifically to monitor digital spaces during the Dutch election.
Digital society research and advocacy
Democratic integrity and transparency
For collaboration opportunities, media inquiries, or more information about our research.