The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched a new series of educational videos aimed at helping councillors and council officers identify and respond to the growing risks posed by deepfakes and other forms of AI‑generated synthetic media.
Deepfakes are increasingly being recognised as a serious threat to local authorities, particularly in the context of public trust, democratic engagement and elections. The LGA’s 2025 survey on AI use in councils found that one in three respondents viewed deepfake‑driven disinformation as a risk “to a great extent” – second only to cyber security. A further 37 per cent said it posed a risk “to a moderate extent”.
An internal LGA study identified 14 distinct categories of risk facing local government from synthetic media, warning that these challenges are escalating rapidly as the technology becomes both more sophisticated and more widely accessible.
In response, the LGA has developed a concise and accessible video series designed to build awareness and resilience across the sector. The videos are intended to support councillors and officers by:
- Defining key terminology, including misinformation, disinformation and malinformation
- Explaining what deepfakes and synthetic media are, and the role of AI in producing them
- Highlighting the main risks and challenges these technologies pose for local government
- Offering practical steps to identify, mitigate and respond to threats
- Sharing anonymised real‑world examples of how synthetic media has already impacted local democracy
The series was developed by the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology (CDT) team, drawing on evidence from a commissioned report, consultation across professional networks and specialist insight into AI and emerging technologies.
To bring the content to life, the CDT team partnered with creative agency Agent, producing animated videos with professional voiceovers. The full series is now available to watch on the LGA website.
Commenting on the launch, Cllr Richard Clewer, Chairman of the LGA’s Public Service Reform and Innovation Committee, said:
“Synthetic media and deepfakes are no longer abstract technological concepts, but real risks which councils are already beginning to face.
“This is particularly pertinent for elections and other future democratic engagement, where misinformation, disinformation and malinformation are likely to spread further.
“This new video series developed by the LGA will help colleagues across local government build their understanding, strengthen their resilience and protect the integrity of local democracy.”
The LGA says the initiative forms part of its wider work to support councils in navigating the rapid adoption of AI technologies, while safeguarding democratic processes and maintaining public confidence in local government.
Image credit: iStock
