AI deepfake ads grow more popular in US midterm campaigns, blurring truth
Summary
In the 2024 U.S. midterm election campaigns, political ads made with artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly used to create fake but attention-grabbing videos, called deepfakes. These AI ads often include false or exaggerated scenes of politicians and may affect how voters see candidates, but no federal law currently requires special rules for such ads.Key Facts
- Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate for New York governor, released AI-generated ads showing politicians doing activities they never did.
- More than 164 AI-based political ads have been made this election season, costing over $80 million.
- About 80% of these AI ads were created by Republican candidates and their supporters.
- The ads are usually labelled briefly to show they are AI-generated, but they still use exaggerated or false content to influence voters.
- Some ads made with AI have caused controversy, such as one AI chatbot criticized for mocking an opponent’s accent and citizenship.
- No federal law currently controls AI deepfake political ads, but 31 states require them to have labels indicating they are AI-made.
- Experts say these ads can affect voter trust by sharing emotional or exaggerated messages rather than actual facts.
- There is ongoing debate about balancing freedom of speech with the need to regulate misleading AI political advertising.
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