#ThaiPolitics

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly undermining the foundations of democracy worldwide, according to new research and official warnings. Tools that generate realistic fake images, videos, and audio are being weaponized to deceive voters, influence election outcomes, and foster distrust in democratic processes—often with little oversight or effective countermeasures from authorities or technology firms. This wave of AI-driven disinformation has already played a pivotal role in elections from Europe to Asia, prompting urgent debates on safeguarding electoral integrity and political discourse.

A new wave of AI-powered deception is challenging democratic systems worldwide, with fake images, videos, and audio tools making misinformation more convincing than ever. Experts warn that without stronger safeguards, voters can be misled, public trust can erode, and election integrity can be compromised. This is a pressing issue for Thai readers preparing for future elections in a highly connected digital environment.

Thailand’s online landscape is vibrant yet vulnerable. High internet penetration and widespread use of social media mean information—both accurate and false—spreads quickly. To protect the public sphere, Thailand needs clear labeling of AI-generated content, better media literacy campaigns, and stronger platform moderation. These measures will help ensure an informed electorate and stable social cohesion.

Recent psychology hints that warmth, honesty, and compassion are not always the deciding factors in how people judge leaders. Emotional appeal can be just as persuasive, or even more so, than factual accuracy or moral consistency. For Thai readers, this has practical implications as public figures rely on energy and storytelling to sustain support.

Trust and empathy were long considered core leadership traits. Yet contemporary research indicates that affective impact often sways opinions, shaping everything from workplace dynamics to voter choices. In Thai contexts, charismatic speakers—whether in politics, media, or community groups—can build loyal followings even when their statements lack rigor. This pattern mirrors a global trend toward prioritizing personal style and emotional resonance over clear facts.

Affect overrules virtue—recent psychological research is challenging the long-standing belief that honesty, warmth, and compassion are universally valued traits in leaders and individuals, showing that emotional appeal can be equally, if not more, persuasive. This finding holds sobering lessons for Thai society and global democracies, as new evidence reveals why these virtues sometimes take a back seat to style, energy, and emotional resonance.

For years, trustworthiness and empathy were seen as essential personal qualities, especially in politics and public life. According to recent scholarly work such as that cited by Psychology Today, qualities like honesty and caring once formed the bedrock of how leaders were judged and supported, shaping everything from workplace relationships to voter decisions (psychologytoday.com). However, as new evidence and expert commentary suggest, affective—or emotional—impact now increasingly sways opinions, sometimes eclipsing the importance of fact-checking and moral consistency.