Cybersecurity Horizons 2026

Register for the symposium
View the agenda

Social:

Deepfakes & Democracy: Real Threat or Overhyped Fear?

As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible and sophisticated, deepfakes are raising urgent questions about their potential impact on elections and democratic stability. But how serious is the threat? Are deepfakes capable of meaningfully influencing voter behavior and undermining trust in electoral outcomes — or is public fear outpacing the evidence?

UM-Flint’s third-annual cybersecurity symposium, “Deepfakes & Democracy: Real Threat or Overhyped Fear?”, brings together experts in technology, media, law, and public policy to examine the real risks and realities behind AI-generated political content.

Gloria Coles Flint Public Library | C.S. Mott Foundation Community Room
1026 E Kearsley St, Flint, Michigan

Sponsored by the UM-Flint Center for Cybersecurity and the College of Innovation & Technology

Panelists will explore how deepfakes are used in election contexts, whether they truly sway voters, how they contribute to misinformation and polarization, and what safeguards can strengthen democratic resilience.

Designed for Democracy Week, these discussions will encourage critical thinking rather than panic, equipping participants with the knowledge to assess risks, ask better questions, and play an informed role in protecting electoral integrity.

Three people sit at a panel discussion, with microphones in front of them, discussing a topic related to the event.
A speaker addresses an audience at the Symposium on Cybersecurity Horizons event, with a presentation slide in the background.
A speaker at a podium addresses an audience during an event at the University of Michigan-Flint, with a panel of speakers seated behind.