Experts warn that artificial intelligence is set to heighten the threat of election manipulation across southeast asia, where large, digitally native populations make the region especially vulnerable. A decade ago, such interference would have required coordinated teams of cyber operatives to build fake news sites, manage social media personas and fabricate documents on a broad scale. Today, a single algorithm can generate persuasive false content at speed and volume, lowering the barrier to widespread deception. The shift raises concerns that state actors and malicious groups could exploit AI tools to sway public opinion and undermine democratic processes in countries with high online engagement.