AI-Generated Disinformation Used in 2025 Cameroon Presidential Election

The event involves the use of AI systems (generative AI) to create manipulated images that are disseminated to influence an election, which is a clear violation of rights and causes harm to communities by spreading disinformation. The harm is realized and ongoing, not merely potential. The article details specific examples of AI-generated images used by political parties, the public reaction, and the impact on political trust, fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident. The involvement of AI is explicit and central to the harm described.

The article explicitly mentions AI-generated images and videos being used by political parties to spread false impressions of popular support, which is a form of disinformation. This use of AI has directly led to harm by misleading voters and undermining trust in the electoral process, fulfilling the criteria for harm to communities and violation of rights. The AI system's use is intentional and central to the disinformation campaign, not merely potential or hypothetical. Hence, this is an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information.

The event involves AI systems explicitly used to generate or modify images for political disinformation. This use has directly led to harm by misleading voters and damaging the democratic process, which constitutes harm to communities and a violation of rights. The harm is realized, not just potential, as the images have been disseminated and have influenced public perception. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident under the OECD framework.

The article explicitly mentions the use of AI-generated images and videos by political parties to manipulate public perception during an election, which is a direct use of AI systems for disinformation. This disinformation harms the community by misleading voters and undermining democratic integrity, fitting the definition of harm to communities. The harm is realized and ongoing during the election campaign, not merely potential. Hence, the event meets the criteria for an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information.

The article explicitly mentions the use of AI systems to generate manipulated images and disinformation campaigns that have been actively deployed during the election, directly impacting the electoral process and public trust. The harms include misinformation, manipulation of voter perception, and undermining democratic legitimacy, which fall under harm to communities and violations of rights. The AI systems' use is not hypothetical but realized and documented, meeting the criteria for an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information.