Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming information environments, amplifying both opportunities and risks for democratic systems. Among the most pressing concerns are the ways in which generative AI and digital misinformation may affect citizens’ perceptions of electoral integrity. Drawing on new data from two waves of the 2025 Election Monitoring Survey Series (EMSS) – a nationally representative longitudinal survey with relevant information on nearly 5,000 Australian adults – this paper examines how exposure to, and concern about, false information and AI are shaping Australians’ trust in electoral processes and democratic institutions.

We explore three interrelated research questions:

• What did Australians think about the quality and reliability of political information they received during the 2025 federal election campaign?

• To what extent did perceptions of false information influence evaluations of electoral integrity across different stages of the election process?

• How are concerns about AI—particularly its potential to spread misinformation—linked to broader indicators of democratic resilience such as satisfaction with democracy and confidence in government?

Findings show that while Australians continue to express strong confidence in the conduct of core election procedures – vote counting, fairness of officials, and access to genuine political choice – concerns about the information environment surrounding elections are widespread. Nearly half of Australians reported that false information about candidates and parties was distributed online, and more than four in ten believed that AI would make elections less fair. Those who were more familiar with AI were also more likely to be concerned about its potential to spread misinformation. Both AI-related concerns and perceptions of false information are significantly associated with lower satisfaction with democracy and reduced confidence in the federal government.

The paper concludes that maintaining electoral integrity in the digital age requires not only robust institutions but also policies that address I-driven misinformation through improved transparency, regulation, and public digital literacy.

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