The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake election results, deepfake videos and manipulated audio ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, expressed the concern during a capacity-building workshop for the commission’s Public Affairs Officers in Abuja.
Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, warned that advances in generative AI had made it cheaper to produce false content that could be difficult for members of the public to identify as fake.
He explained that AI-generated misinformation could go beyond manipulated images and videos to include targeted narratives capable of misleading voters and influencing their understanding of candidates, political parties and electoral developments.
The INEC chairman stressed that the increasing volume of information about the commission and the electoral process as the elections approach would make verification and responsible communication essential.
He also noted that protecting the credibility of elections now requires attention not only to activities at polling units but also to the information circulating among voters.
