Inlay

An AI-generated image falsely claiming that nearly half of Poles support leaving the European Union spread widely on social media this week, highlighting how easily fabricated content can distort public debate and create the illusion of growing support for “Polexit”, reported EUalive’s partner FocusEurope.pl. The incident demonstrates how artificial intelligence, combined with click-driven online business models, can amplify misinformation and exploit one of Poland’s most politically sensitive issues. Poland’s membership of the EU has long been a subject of intense political debate, often provoking strong emotions and fuelling polarised online discussions. Public opinion polls on the issue attract considerable attention and are frequently used by politicians, commentators and social media creators to support competing narratives. As recent events have shown, however, the boundary between legitimate information and digital manipulation is becoming increasingly blurred. The controversy began with a seemingly sensational Facebook post published by a profile normally associated with lifestyle content, such as recipes and household tips. The post featured a graphic, apparently generated using artificial intelligence, claiming that 45% of respondents supported Poland leaving the EU, while only 42% favoured remaining in the bloc. For many users accustomed to consuming information quickly, the image itself appeared to provide definitive evidence of a dramatic shift in public opinion. The graphic was widely shared and quickly became a talking point among Eurosceptic communities, while also causing concern among pro-European audiences. In reality, the figures displayed in the image had no factual basis. A misleading graphic The authors of the post directed users to a linked article, claiming it contained a detailed analysis of the survey results. The approach reflects a common social media tactic designed to increase engagement and maximise algorithmic reach. However, readers who followed the link discovered that the article itself reported the findings of a legitimate poll conducted by the Pollster Research Institute on behalf of the daily newspaper Super Express. The survey’s actual results directly contradicted the claims made in the graphic. While the AI-generated image suggested that support for leaving the EU had reached 45%, the original source showed a clear and overwhelming majority in favour of continued membership. According to the Pollster survey, 71% of respondents supported Poland remaining in the European Union. Nearly half of those surveyed (49%) stated that Poland should definitely remain a member, while a further 22% said it should probably stay in the bloc. Support for leaving the EU stood at just 21%, with respondents divided between firm and less committed supporters of withdrawal. The remaining 8% were undecided. All surveys tell the same story – Poland wants to stay in the EU The claim that Poland is experiencing a surge in Euroscepticism is also contradicted by other recent opinion polls. A survey conducted by United Surveys for the news portal Wirtualna Polska at the end of May produced similar findings. Respondents were asked how they would vote in a hypothetical referendum on Poland’s EU membership. According to the results, 57.7% would vote to remain in the bloc, while 24% would support withdrawal. A further 13.3% were undecided, and 5% said they had no opinion. Although the figures differ from those reported by Pollster, both surveys point to the same conclusion: support for EU membership remains significantly higher than support for withdrawal. Taken together, the studies provide little evidence for claims that Poland is facing a major crisis of confidence in its place within the European project. The economics of misinformation Following criticism from social media users who identified the discrepancy, the administrators of the Facebook page removed the AI-generated graphic and replaced it with a neutral image. There is little indication that the post formed part of a coordinated political disinformation campaign aimed at persuading Poles to leave the EU. Instead, the incident appears to illustrate a more commonplace phenomenon: the use of provocative content to generate clicks and increase website traffic. Whether the publication resulted from deliberate manipulation for commercial gain or from negligence by a social media manager, its consequences were real. Many users were led to believe that support for EU withdrawal had reached unprecedented levels, reinforcing a false narrative and further contaminating an already polarised public debate. The episode serves as another reminder of how artificial intelligence can be used to manufacture convincing but entirely fictional narratives, and how rapidly such content can spread when combined with the attention-driven incentives of the digital economy. The original article in Polish by EUalive’s partner FocusEurope.pl can be found here . Caption: Members of the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union (NSZZ) ‘Solidarnosc’ take part in a protest against the so-called ‘Green Deal’ in front of the BHP Hall, on the occasion of the European Commission president and College of Commissioners’ visit to Gdansk, northern Poland, 7 February 2025. EPA/PIOTR MATUSEWICZ