Guy Tytunovich, CEO of CHEQ, answered unequivocally: “Absolutely” when asked whether artificial intelligence and automated (ro)bots might have a measurable effect on the upcoming elections. CHEQ, a Tel Aviv–based cybersecurity company, says it specializes in protecting organizations from online activity that is not attributable to humans.
What is happening in Israel?
According to Tytunovich, Israelis are confronting for the first time what has already become reality in several other countries: the current election campaign is the first in the nation’s history in which artificial intelligence plays a significant role. The phenomenon rests on the ability of automated systems to generate, disseminate or manipulate large volumes of content on social media and other online channels.
Why this matters
The use of AI and bots in political communication can shape public discourse, influence opinion formation and affect voters’ access to accurate information. Firms like CHEQ exist to distinguish human from non‑human online behavior and to mitigate the distorting effects that automated activity can produce.
Not entirely new globally
Tytunovich noted that while this is new for Israel’s elections, the role of AI in campaigns has already materialized elsewhere. That implies the issue is practical rather than purely theoretical: the technological tools can have observable and measurable impacts on the conduct of campaigns.
Implications and responses
Sources indicate that defensive measures — for example filtering non‑human traffic and conducting cybersecurity checks — will be important for maintaining the transparency and reliability of the campaign. CHEQ’s role is to help clients defend against manipulated or automated online behavior that could distort political communication.
