from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA is, on election day, battling the abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in what is predicted to be the most intensely contested vote since the advent of multiparty rule 35 years ago.
Voting began this morning in the Southern African country and, on the eve of the election, a government spokesperson said the administration was aware of “dangerous disinformation” circulating on social media.
“We are fully aware of an alleged plan to push a fake, AI-generated video and false statements purportedly featuring our late former President, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and former First Lady, Madam Esther Lungu, endorsing specific candidates,” Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Media, stated on Wednesday evening.
“We categorically dismiss these fabricated messages as malicious falsehoods meant to manipulate public emotions and disrupt the electoral process.”
The United Party for National Development (UPND)-led government of incumbent Hakainde Hichilema implied such actions suggested that the Lungus endorsed the Tonse coalition, of which Lungu’s former ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is a part.
It is conceivable, therefore, that PF supporters would vote for the Tonse, led by Brian Mundubile.
In addition, Hichilema’s government has a longstanding conflict with the Lungus, even before Lungu’s death after an illness in South Africa.
Kawana further claimed that the government had received credible intelligence regarding desperate plots to stage attacks on opposition figures such as Mundubile or his running mate and lawyer for the Lungus, Makebi Zulu, with the sole intent of falsely implicating the government and state security agents.
“We harbour no intention of harming any political player. Instead, our absolute duty is to guarantee the safety of every voter, secure private and public property, and fiercely safeguard the integrity of our democracy,” he said.
While violence has marred the run-up to the Thursday poll, the abuse of AI and its potential to destabilise the process has been in the spotlight.
In March, Zambia declared AI content a threat to national security. Ahead of the elections, the army command issued warnings targeting so-called digital generators and conduits whose actions it said aimed to destabilise the military.
Political campaigns are leveraging Generative AI platforms to digitally inflate images of rally crowds and generate a false impression of massive public momentum.
The state in 2025 enacted the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, which critics nonetheless argue are aimed at stifling dissent.
Hichilema is seeking a second term, and Mundubile is his main challenger.
More than 8 million citizens are registered to vote.
– CAJ News