Party Equalization or Normalization Through Visual Generative AI in the 2025 German Federal Election
This study examines whether visual generative artificial intelligence (VGenAI) serves as an equalizing force for minor parties or reinforces existing power asymmetries in political communication. Drawing on equalization and normalization theory, we investigate party differences in VGenAI adoption, content strategies, and user engagement during the 2025 German federal election. Using a semi-automated AI detection method combining automated classification with manual validation, we analyzed Facebook and Instagram…
Minor parties adopted visual generative AI at higher rates than major parties during the 2025 German federal election, gaining broader access to professional campaign visual production.
VGenAI content did not provide resource-constrained minor parties with competitive engagement benefits, leaving engagement asymmetries between major and minor parties intact.
Engagement advantage of VGenAI content accrued equally to major and minor parties, so findings do not show a measured reduction in engagement inequality
Evidence
- Peer-reviewedMedia and Communication2026-07-02
Truvace Impact Record TRV-2026-0109, v1: “Party Equalization or Normalization Through Visual Generative AI in the 2025 German Federal Election.” Truvace, 2026-07-13. /record/TRV-2026-0109 (accessed at citation time). sha256 80e544f329a57455…
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