Quarter of Israelis Consider Using AI for Voting Decisions, Survey Finds

A comprehensive survey by the Israeli Internet Association reveals that approximately one-quarter of Israelis are considering using artificial intelligence tools to help them decide which party to vote for in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The survey, conducted by Geocartography among 1,005 respondents, also found that a majority of the public has encountered false information related to the elections, and most are concerned about the escalation of online hate speech.

Nearly 71% of Israelis reported frequently or occasionally encountering fake news surrounding the election campaign, with only about 15% stating they had not seen any. Furthermore, 56.8% reported frequently or occasionally encountering fake accounts or impersonators online. The survey also highlighted concerns about the misuse of AI, with 48.2% reporting frequent or occasional encounters with AI used to harm or defame others.

The Israeli Internet Association warned that impersonation, disinformation, and malicious AI use are not future threats but current realities in the online space. They expressed concern that existing digital risks, including violence, incitement, and disinformation, could intensify and feed into each other during the election period. Notably, the association pointed out that exposure to election-related disinformation is not confined to one political camp, with similar percentages of right-wing, centrist, and left-wing respondents reporting such encounters.

In response to these findings, the Israeli Internet Association has published a guide for voters on how to deal with false information in the digital sphere during elections. The guide advises voters to verify the source of information, prefer credible sources, cross-reference information, and check publication dates and context. While acknowledging AI tools can aid learning and comparison, the association stressed that AI responses are not objective recommendations and can be flawed, outdated, or even fabricated.

Dr. Shaked Davran Zivan, the association's coordinator for online literacy and safety, emphasized that a fair election depends on informed decision-making. She recommended using AI as a tool for research and information verification rather than blindly trusting its output, urging critical thinking and independent judgment.