Concerns about authenticity and public trust have arisen as Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and his party, D66, have utilized artificial intelligence to generate hundreds of social media posts, including those addressing delicate political matters. An examination of 1,812 posts on Jetten’s and D66’s accounts across platforms such as X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn since 2021 revealed that at least 232 of these posts were crafted using AI chatbots. Among these, 68 were from Jetten’s personal accounts, while 164 originated from the party’s official accounts.
The deployment of AI in crafting these messages saw a marked increase following the collapse of the Schoof I Cabinet in June 2025. From that juncture, approximately 30% of the posts from both Jetten and D66 were determined to be AI-generated. Furthermore, AI tools were reportedly employed in producing parts of Jetten’s book, “Hoe het wél kan,” and in scripting lines for three of D66’s campaign videos. The use of AI in these contexts has sparked debate, especially because some of the AI-assisted posts tackled sensitive issues such as the war in Ukraine, the MH17 disaster commemoration, and the government’s apology to the Moluccan community.
While D66 has acknowledged the use of AI, the party assures that all content is thoroughly reviewed and refined by its staff. They emphasize that posts appearing on Jetten’s personal accounts are based on his input and receive his approval or edits before publication. However, experts are raising questions about whether AI-generated content presented as personal communication could compromise Jetten’s credibility. Claes de Vreese, a professor at the University of Amsterdam, highlighted the potential difficulty for the public in distinguishing between a politician’s authentic views and messages created by AI.
This situation has highlighted broader issues surrounding transparency and the role of AI in political communication. There is growing scrutiny over how official social media accounts should accurately reflect the personal views and expressions of elected officials. As AI continues to play a significant role in shaping political discourse, the balance between technological innovation and maintaining public trust becomes increasingly critical.