GenAI and political campaigning: The emergence GenAI applications as data-driven campaign tools

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) based on foundation and large language models rapidly advanced within recent years and outperforms human performance on many benchmarks. With respect to political campaigns, application based on GenAI constitute data-driven campaign tools and will alter practices of political campaigning significantly. 1) GenAI decreases thresholds for software development and data analytics for campaign purposes and enables a more proficient use of data analytics and software on all campaign levels. 2) GenAI also increases access to content production and significantly lowers the effort and cost of generating campaign content like visual marketing. 3) GenAI applications can be used by all actors also those that have a subversive aim of their campaign. Thus, GenAI applications amplify existing risks with regard to digital platforms as political information environments and electoral integrity. Concludingly, the author reflects on implications of these data-driven campaign tools for political party competition and democratic integrity.