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 at the Media Psychology section conference of the German Psychological Society (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.