Malta general election 2026 – Weekly brief: AI slopaganda and identity politics - edmo.eu
During the Malta general election of 2026, AI-generated 'slopaganda' was used to mock political figures and distort the debate, particularly targeting the Leader of the Opposition.
- Incident date
- Apr 2026
- Target
- Alex Borg
In the lead-up to the Malta general election on May 30, 2026, AI-generated content played a role in political discourse. The election, announced on April 27th, saw increased polarization and the use of disinformation tactics.
What happened
AI-generated images, described as 'slopaganda,' were used to influence political views. These images, while evidently fake, aimed to strike at emotions and propagate narratives. The Leader of the Opposition, Alex Borg, was a frequent target, depicted in videos and images that parodied his party's election slogan. AI was also used to alter the Labour Party's electoral billboards, with versions alluding to Malta’s population and infrastructure issues. Some social media users believed these altered billboards were real. Additionally, identity politics dominated the debate as false claims and Islamophobia surrounded a candidate's nomination.