Key Highlights
- Bangladesh’s first election since 2024 is being flooded with AI-generated content on social media.
- A video falsely claiming to show ballot papers being counted ahead of polling in Bangladesh is circulating, but it’s from a previous election.
- AI-generated videos are becoming increasingly convincing and can be hard to spot without careful scrutiny.
- The UK’s economy is growing at a slower rate than claimed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The AI Invasion: A Cynical Look at Bangladesh’s Election Disinformation Campaign
It’s election season in Bangladesh, and the country is embroiled in an unprecedented wave of disinformation. BBC Verify has been tracking a significant rise in AI-generated content on social media platforms, with hundreds of videos and images circulating that are designed to manipulate public opinion.
The AI-Driven Scepticism
Shruti Menon from BBC Verify warns that the spread of these AI-forged videos is concerning. “AI-generated content can be extremely convincing,” she notes, “but there are still subtle giveaways.” For instance, green taxis in Bangladesh are typically a signifier for local transport; however, several videos claiming to be from Bangladesh feature yellow taxis, which are more commonly associated with nearby West Bengal in India.
Menon advises viewers to look closely at text and signs within the videos. “AI-generated content can include spelling errors, weird phrasing, garbled text, and sentences that don’t quite make sense,” she adds. These technical inconsistencies can be a tell-tale sign of synthetic content.
The Political Reality Check
Meanwhile, in the UK, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made a bold claim about the country’s economic growth. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, the UK economy grew by 0.1% in Q4 and 1.3% for the whole of 2025. This contradicts Reeves’ statement that “Ours is the fastest-growing G7 economy in Europe.” A closer look reveals that France, Germany, and Italy also experienced slower growth rates during the same period.
Reeves’ claim is not just a matter of semantics; it’s part of a broader political narrative.
The government needs to ensure accurate economic messaging, especially when competing with other G7 nations for investment and global recognition. Inaccurate statements can lead to public mistrust and undermine the credibility of elected officials.
The Disinformation Challenge
Back in Bangladesh, the election is being marred by a flood of false information. A video falsely claiming to show ballot papers being counted ahead of today’s polling has been widely shared on social media. The clip appears low quality but enhancements reveal it bears the boat electoral symbol of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which is not contesting this election.
After student protests in 2024 forced her and other Awami League leaders to resign and leave Bangladesh, the interim government banned the party from participating in these elections. Menon notes that BBC Verify has found no evidence of any ballot counting taking place ahead of the polling, indicating the video is old.
Conclusion
The rise of AI-generated content on social media platforms poses a significant challenge to election integrity and public trust. As we navigate these complex times, it’s crucial for citizens to stay vigilant and fact-check all information before sharing or acting upon it. The truth matters more than ever in an era where technology can blur the lines between reality and fiction.
