Poland has formally requested the European Commission to investigate TikTok after the platform hosted AI-generated videos promoting disinformation, including calls for Poland to exit the European Union, known as “Polexit.” The Polish government suspects the content to be Russian-origin propaganda aimed at spreading misleading narratives about Poland’s EU membership. These AI-generated videos notably feature synthetic young women dressed in Polish national symbols delivering messages urging Poles, particularly the youth, to support EU withdrawal. The shift in the content’s nature was marked by a TikTok account named “Prawilne_Polki,” which rebranded in December 2023 and began publishing Polish-language videos with right-wing and pro-Russian viewpoints.
This development reflects wider concerns about the exploitation of AI for disinformation by foreign actors on social media platforms. The use of AI allows for the creation of convincing yet fabricated personas and narratives that can influence public opinion and political discourse. Poland’s call for an EU probe highlights ongoing regulatory and security challenges in monitoring rapidly evolving AI-generated content. It also underscores the strategic importance of safeguarding information integrity, particularly in politically sensitive contexts like the EU’s cohesion and sovereignty. The Polish case exemplifies how AI tools are being weaponized to manipulate democratic processes and public sentiment online, prompting a coordinated European response to address such threats within digital ecosystems.
