Decoding Influencers: Profiling, Content Trends, and the Impact of AI-Generated Content Among Key Influencers in the 2022 French Presidential election

As the influence of social media continues to play a pivotal role in shaping political landscapes, this article delves into the dynamics of influencers and their impact on the 2022 French Presidential election. Focusing on Twitter data collected during the election campaign, our study aims to meticulously identify and characterize a subset of influencers that emerged as the most influential during this critical political event. This study scrutinizes the profiles of these key influencers, shedding light on their backgrounds, demographics, and online personas. Furthermore, the research investigates the diverse content-sharing practices of these influencers, examining whether they predominantly generate or engage with image, text, or video contents. By analyzing the nature of their content, we seek to discern patterns and preferences that define their online presence and influence during the election campaign. A pivotal aspect of this study is the exploration of content seemingly generated by AI, utilizing AI detection tools such as zeroGPT. Are influencers incorporating AI-generated content into their messaging, and if so, to what extent and with what effect? Do the perceived strengths of AI-generated content translate into greater influence and engagement? To answer these questions, we explore the effects of AI content detection scores, based on zeroGPT, on content popularity. This study serves as a descriptive exploration of the multifaceted landscape of political influencers, shedding light on the intersection of human and artificial influence and offering valuable insights for researchers, political strategists, and communication professionals navigating this dynamic terrain.