Open University Launches Dashboard Tracking AI Use in Israeli Election Campaigns

Researchers from the Open University in Israel have launched a public dashboard called "It's in AI" that monitors in real time the use of artificial intelligence in political campaign materials. The platform tracks AI-generated or AI-edited images, videos, voices, and texts posted by parties and candidates on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. As of August 2026, the Likud party leads with nearly 900 AI-related items, comprising 71% of all identified AI content, coinciding with its ongoing primaries.

The initiative, led by Prof. Anat Ben-David from the Open University's Department of Sociology, Political Science, and Communication, aims to provide transparency rather than judgment on AI use in political propaganda. The dashboard collects data using Bright Data's platform and applies multiple technological and human verification steps to identify AI content. It also complies with new Israeli election regulations effective July 26, 2026, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated or manipulated political content to combat misinformation and preserve election integrity.

The project emerged amid a surge of AI content in the 2026 election cycle, including controversial AI-generated videos by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud targeting opposition figures. Other politicians, such as Defense Minister Israel Katz and Amir Ohana, have also used AI in campaign materials. The dashboard currently tracks over 9,500 posts, with 1,239 confirmed AI items. It allows users to search by party, candidate, platform, and media type, showing rankings within parties; for example, Ariel Kallner leads Likud with 194 AI items, while Netanyahu ranks 16th with 20.

The researchers emphasize that AI use is not inherently negative but requires public awareness and critical evaluation. They note challenges in detecting AI content, especially when authentic and AI-generated elements are mixed. The system does not track private platforms like Telegram and does not push notifications, encouraging active public engagement. Funded by the Meir Shamgar Center for Digital Law and Innovation and the Edmond J. and Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University, the project seeks to support democracy and transparency in the digital age.

The dashboard will reset data after the September candidate list closure to separate primary activity from the official campaign period. The team invites public feedback to improve detection accuracy and plans to maintain academic independence to monitor all parties impartially.