AI-generated ads are trickling into political campaigns, sparking big worries
Source: NBC
At least 15 campaign ads featuring AI-generated content have run since November, stoking concerns that the now-ubiquitous technology could cause confusion or even mislead voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In state, local and federal elections across the country, AI has been everywhere from school board campaigns to governor’s races, used to enhance speech, turn politicians into cartoons or, in one notable case in Massachusetts, mimic a rival politician’s voice.
In the state’s gubernatorial race, the campaign of Republican primary candidate Brian Shortsleeve created an AI-generated radio ad that sounds like Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, using Healey’s “voice” to say things she never actually said, including about the state’s economy. The clip does not contain an explicit AI disclaimer, and instead the caption says it’s what her radio ads would sound like “if she was honest.” Shortsleeve’s campaign has also released AI-generated videos depicting Healey as the Grinch and another of her hissing with red eyes, neither of which contained explicit AI disclaimers.
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More recently, the National Republican Senatorial Committee last week released an AI-generated video of James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, reading real tweets on race and transgender rights. Talarico spokesperson JT Ennis said in response to the ad that the Republican primary candidates are the ones who are “scared” of the Democrat, according to CNN. Talarico’s campaign declined NBC News’ request for comment.
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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/ai-midterms-politics-campaign-ads-rcna263752
I don't know if any analyses have been done of which party uses AI more, but my guess from what I've seen and read is that it's Republicans. Rightwingers are much less likely than liberals to care about the intellectual property theft that's the only reason generative AI works. And liberals have the real world and real facts on their side. Dems would lose that reality-based advantage if they decided to rely on AI instead.