Artificial Intelligence and the Post-Truth Dilemma: Rethinking Political Communication and Democracy in the Era of Deepfakes

The study examined how Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed how information is garnered, processed and disseminated. This also applies to political communication and democracy, which undergo prospects and challenges due to rapid advancement in AI. However, the research assessed the synergy between Artificial Intelligence and the post-truth dilemma in promoting misinformation and emotional appeal at the expense of objective facts and how deepfakes, which are one of the AI-driven tools, spread fake news and have become a source of political manipulation, falsehood and misinformation in society. This paper analysed different literature to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and deep fakes. The post-truth theory was deployed to foreground this work as it investigated the implications of synthetic media on elections, public opinion, and freedom of expression. According to the theoretical discussion of the study, the post-truth theory and artificial intelligence-based technologies like deepfakes are not only a means of innovation but an influential force that transforms the way of producing and spreading truth. However, they destroy the boundary between reality and the fake, and they move democratic communication as a platform of reasoned discussion towards an emotional platform.. Furthermore, the theoretical implications of the study indicated a complete shift in production, mediation, and understanding of truth in the digital era. Thus, the research suggested a new paradigm of communication based on critical media awareness and responsible AI governance.