ZeMKI at DGPs 2025 in Duisburg

The research team of Sabine Reich, Stephanie Geise, Anna Ricarda Luther, and Michael Linke will present their latest study, “The impact of AI-generated images in political advertisement on credibility, emotions, and political mobilization” at the Media Psychology section conference of the German Psychological Society (DGPs) 2025 in Duisburg.

The project investigates a pressing question: How do AI-generated images in political advertising shape public perception, emotions, and political behavior?

Following the dissolution of the German government and in the midst of a tight election campaign, political parties are turning to fast and cost-effective communication tools. AI-generated visuals promise impact, but also raise new challenges for credibility, trust, and democracy.

In a large-scale survey experiment with around 1,000 German online users, the team examines how AI-generated political ads are perceived and how they influence:

• the evaluation of messages and sources,
• emotional responses and issue perception, and
• political mobilization.

This research sheds light on the psychological and societal consequences of AI-generated visuals in politics — a timely contribution to debates about media, democracy, and the digital society.