Merging AI Incidents Research with Political Misinformation Research: Introducing the Political Deepfakes Incidents Database

Abstract

This article presents the Political Deepfakes Incidents Database (PDID), a comprehensive collection of politically salient deepfakes, including synthetically-created videos, images, and less sophisticated 'cheapfakes.' The project bridges AI incidents and political communication research to analyze the prevalence, trends, and impacts of political deepfakes. It is intended to support policymakers, researchers, journalists, and the public by providing valuable insights, enabling fact-checking, and raising awareness. The PDID includes data and coded descriptors from political science, public policy, and communication studies, fostering research on media effects, political discourse, AI ethics, and countermeasures against misinformation.