The AI debate comes for political polling, and some say the industry is unprepared

As some pollsters caution that AI bots can invade online surveys, skewing data used for public policy, others say they have safeguards in place to verify respondents are humans.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon. Polling is vulnerable to AI, and that could ‘directly influence’ policy decisions and electoral strategies, research suggests. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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BY ELEANOR WAND
September 26, 2026

Research suggests online opinion polls are at risk of being infected by AI bots capable of bypassing typical screening tools—with the potential to affect a litany of areas, including public policy. 

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