Heavy use of AI increases tensions in Hungary’s upcoming election

Lead

As Hungary prepares for its pivotal parliamentary election on April 12, the campaign trail has been marked by the heavy use of AI-generated content, particularly from the ruling Fidesz party, according to reports from the BBC and Global Voices. The two major political parties—Fidesz, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and the opposition TISZA, led by Péter Magyar—are locked in a tight race, with TISZA leading in most opinion polls, as reported by Reuters and cited by Global Voices.

Coverage Comparison

The BBC's Global Disinformation Unit and Global Voices have both highlighted the role of AI in the election campaign, but with different emphases. The BBC focuses on specific AI-generated videos, including one depicting a Hungarian soldier's execution, which was posted on Fidesz's social media accounts in February. Global Voices provides a broader analysis of Fidesz's use of AI tools, including AI-generated videos and comic books, and places it within the context of the EU's AI Act, which came into force in August 2024 but will only be fully applicable in August 2026.

Key Claims

• Election date and leading parties: Hungary's parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 12, with Fidesz and TISZA as the main contenders, according to multiple sources.
• AI-generated content: Fidesz has been using AI tools for its campaign, including AI-generated videos and comic books, as reported by both the BBC and Global Voices.
• AI execution video: A video depicting a Hungarian soldier's execution, posted on Fidesz's social media, was AI-generated, as confirmed by the BBC. The video targets Magyar, suggesting he would bring war to Hungary.
• Fidesz's allegations: Fidesz alleges that Magyar would bring Russia's war against Ukraine to Hungary's doorstep, a claim that has been rejected by TISZA, which pledges not to send troops to Ukraine or revive conscription, according to the BBC.
• National Resistance Movement: The National Resistance Movement (NEM) shared an AI-generated video depicting a phone call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Péter Magyar discussing sending money to Ukraine, as reported by a single source.
• Arrest of Ukrainian bank workers: Hungary's anti-terrorism police arrested seven Ukrainian bank workers transiting with $80 million in cash and 9kg of gold, who were later released without charges, but the money and gold have not been returned, according to a single source.
• Poll standings: TISZA has been leading in most opinion polls, with one poll showing TISZA at 58 percent and Fidesz at 35 percent, as reported by Global Voices.

Perspectives

Fidesz's perspective: The party defends its use of AI-generated content as a means to highlight the dangers of war, with the execution video explicitly stating, "The video is an AI video, but the war is really horrible." Fidesz has not responded to requests for comment on the video, according to the BBC.

TISZA's perspective: Magyar and TISZA have rejected Fidesz's narratives, emphasizing their manifesto's pledge not to send troops to Ukraine or revive conscription. They view the AI-generated content as manipulative and fear-mongering, as reported by Global Voices.

Regulatory perspective: The EU AI Act, which regulates AI use, is not yet fully applicable, leaving a gap in oversight during the election period. This has raised concerns about the potential for AI-generated disinformation to influence voters, as noted by Global Voices.

Fact-checking efforts: Facebook has been fact-checking AI-generated content, and Hungarian fact-checkers like Lakmusz have been active, according to the BBC and Global Voices, though the effectiveness of these efforts remains unclear.

As the election approaches, the use of AI in campaign messaging has become a central issue, with both domestic and international observers watching closely. The full impact of these tactics on the election outcome remains to be seen.