Generative AI and its Influence on South Africa's 2024 Elections

Voters in South Africa casting their vote to elect a new parliament

IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

This paper explores the role of Generative AI (GenAI) in South Africa’s 2024 General Election, focusing on evidence-based findings regarding the spread and influence of AI-generated disinformation. Using a framework of proxy indicators – including the proliferation of AI-generated disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and shifts in public trust in government and media – the study provides a clear analysis of GenAI’s measurable impact on the election.

Policy Paper AI on South Africa's 2024 Electons COVER

Policy Paper AI on South Africa's 2024 Electons PDF

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Findings show a limited presence of AI-driven disinformation, with most misinformation originating from traditional sources rather than AI-powered platforms. Public trust in media remained relatively resilient, and there was no notable decline linked to GenAI-generated content, aside from isolated cases involving deepfake images and impersonations. These insights challenge assumptions that AI would significantly disrupt the election, instead revealing the robustness of South Africa’s existing media and social structures. This paper concludes with targeted policy recommendations aimed at strengthening South Africa’s electoral resilience, helping to harness GenAI’s benefits while addressing potential risks in the lead-up to the 2026 election.

Read the full Policy Paper here.

This publication is part of the AI/Democracy Initiative, a collaborative effort by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the German Council on Foreign Relations to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic processes and electoral integrity. Visit the project website here .

About the Authors

Phumzile Van Damme
is a counter-disinformation, digital rights, and platform accountability consultant specializing in identifying, mitigating, and advocating against digital threats such as electoral misinformation, extremism, and online harms. A former Member of Parliament in South Africa and a 2023/24 Technology and Human Rights Fellow at Harvard’s Carr Center, her work focuses on safeguarding online spaces and promoting inclusive, rights-respecting digital governance. She has provided strategic insights to global organizations and is a sought-after speaker, having addressed platforms such as the United Nations and Cambridge and Stanford universities.

Kyle Findlay & Aldu Cornelissen
are the co-founders of Murmur, a data consultancy specializing in socio-political research using publicly available trace data, including social media and online news. Murmur Intelligence monitors influence operations and narrative control efforts globally, with a particular focus on the African continent. Their work combines cutting-edge data analysis with a commitment to understanding and addressing complex socio-political dynamics.

Bibliographic data

This text was first published by Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation. You can read the full Policy Paper by Phumzile Van Damme, Kyle Findlay and Aldu Cornelissen here.