Imagine a world where politicians can make up their own facts and spin their own narratives with ease. Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence (A.I.)-powered political ads. For as long as candidates have bought political advertising, there have been complaints about false or misleading ads designed to confuse or deceive voters. And that was before America’s politicians could make stuff up with A.I.
The latest example of this trend comes from Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and a Republican Senate candidate in the state. His video ad shows two of his opponents dancing “the Senate swing” and “the Washington waltz.” The ad depicts a smiling — but digitally faked — version of the Republican whom Mr. Paxton is challenging, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, as he twirls with Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat running in her party’s primary race for Senate.
## The Dark Side of A.I.-Generated Ads
The backgrounds of the dancing clips include what appears to be a Texas dance hall and the U.S. Capitol. Interspersed with the A.I.-generated dancing clips are real videos of Ms. Crockett praising Mr. Cornyn and news reports of Mr. Cornyn saying nice things about her. Mr. Paxton is not the first high-profile candidate to generate fake A.I. scenes for campaign videos — Andrew M. Cuomo did so during the New York City mayor’s race last year, drawing a backlash for an offensive depiction of Zohran Mamdani and his supporters.
## The Impact on Politics and Society
The Paxton campaign’s video serves as a vivid reminder that A.I. is transforming the political advertising world. This development raises important questions about the role of A.I. in politics and society. As A.I.-generated ads become more prevalent, we must consider the potential consequences for our democracy. Will A.I.-powered ads lead to greater polarization and manipulation of voters? Or will they provide a more engaging and informative way to engage with politics?
## A New Era in Politics
Ms. Crockett, in a news release that included a link to Mr. Paxton’s video, conveyed that she was happy to be the subject of a Republican primary spat. Her response highlights the complexities of A.I.-generated ads in politics. While they may provide a new and creative way to engage with voters, they also raise important concerns about truth and transparency in politics. As we move forward in this new era of A.I.-powered ads, it is essential to have an open and honest discussion about their impact on our democracy.
In conclusion, the rise of A.I.-generated ads is a game-changer in the world of politics. While they offer new opportunities for creative engagement, they also raise important concerns about truth and transparency. As we navigate this new landscape, it is crucial to have a nuanced understanding of the potential consequences of A.I.-powered ads and to work towards a more informed and engaged citizenry. By doing so, we can ensure that our democracy remains strong and resilient in the face of this new technology.
