Fidesz causes outcry with divisive AI-generated political video

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party sparked consternation after releasing an AI-generated election campaign video depicting a fictitious wartime execution to stike fear about its main rival, raising concerns about the unethical use of synthetic media in democratic processes. What happened Amidst escalating pre-election rhetoric on Ukraine and EU policies, Fidesz published a 33-second campaign video on its Facebook page that intercuts imagery of a crying child with an AI-generated scene showing a blindfolded Hungarian soldier being shot, implying that opposition party Tisza would lead Hungary into the Ukraine war if elected. Deepfake videos of opposition leader Tisza Party Péter Magyar allegedly smashing a cardboard cutout of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán or engaging in unpatriotic activities were also disseminated through state-aligned media and social media groups such as "Harcosok Klubja" (Warriors' Club), usually without clear labels. Why it happened The video was released amid a heated parliamentary election campaign ahead of national polls, with Fidesz increasingly turning to AI tools to generate political content that seek to frame its opposition as dangerous or aligned with the European Union. Government officials argue the videos were "obviously" AI or "just memes," but the high production quality and lack of prominent watermarks misled many citizens; critics argue this reflects a broader strategic use of AI to create emotive and divisive narratives that are difficult for audiences to verify. This lack of transparency and accountability was compounded by a government-backed infrastructure that prioritised viral engagement over factual accuracy to maintain a "digital warrior" presence. What it means For society: The blurring of reality and fiction threatens to dismantle a shared factual reality, leading to extreme political polarisation and a "rally-around-the-flag" effect driven by manufactured fear. For policymakers: The incident serves as an important test of the EU AI Act and election integrity. It highlights the urgent need for mandatory, non-removable watermarking, and for stricter liability for political parties using synthetic media to influence democratic outcomes. System 🤖 Unknown Developer: Country: Hungary Sector: Politics Purpose: Manipulate public opinion Technology: Generative AI Issue: Mis/disinformation; Safety; Transparency Timeline ⏰ Spring 2024. Péter Magyar launches the Tisza Party; Fidesz begins "dabbling" in AI-generated images for political messaging. August 2025. AI videos appear showing Ukrainian soldiers "beating a Hungarian man," which the government later admits was synthetic. October 2025. META/Google ban traditional political ads in the EU; Fidesz shifts focus to "semi-organised" AI-driven digital activism. January 2026. Fidesz launches a national consultation based on claims (allegedly AI-generated) that the opposition would raise taxes. February 6, 2026. PM Viktor Orbán posts a deepfake video of Ursula von der Leyen and Péter Magyar, prompting an EU warning. February 19, 2026. Fidesz releases its "wartime execution" attack video.

Date it happened

2026-02-01

Organisation involved

Fidesz

This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.