AI and fake media in Bangladesh’s electionCEFR B1
1 Apr 2026
Adapted from Zulker Naeen, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Refat Ul Islam, Unsplash
Bangladesh held a high-stakes national election on February 12, after a July 2024 student-mass uprising that toppled the previous government. In the run-up to the vote, artificial intelligence played a major role in shaping political narratives and public belief.
On December 14, 2025 a photograph circulated that seemed to show a student union vice-president with a man later alleged to be the shooter of Osman Hadi, who had been shot on December 11. FactWatch and other checkers confirmed the image was fake and made with AI.
A study published during the campaign identified many cases of AI-driven manipulation. It found fake images, edited photocards that imitated trusted outlets, deepfakes and fabricated quotes. These attacks affected several parties and leaders, and included false survey results, staged meetings and repeated claims about the shooting. Observers say the campaign introduced tactics likely to be used elsewhere, but how to regulate them is still unclear.
Difficult words
- uprising — a public protest or revolt against authority
- artificial intelligence — computer systems that can perform smart tasks
- narrative — a story or explanation used to persuade peoplenarratives
- circulate — to move or send something to many peoplecirculated
- manipulation — the act of changing information to deceive people
- deepfake — a realistic fake image or video made by AIdeepfakes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can AI-created images affect voters' beliefs during an election?
- Why might it be difficult to make rules or laws for AI-driven campaign tactics?
- What can fact-checkers and ordinary people do to check if an image is real?
