Brief
AI‑generated campaign ads surge in US midterms, Republican‑led
Republican candidates have funded a wave of AI‑generated political ads, raising concerns about “slopaganda” ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
By Felo News Desk · Published
AI‑generated political ads have become a prominent feature of the United States midterm race, with more than $80 million spent on 164 such ads, according to the Wesleyan Media Project, a non‑partisan election‑advertising tracker.
What happened
The tracker reports that Republican candidates and their backers produced roughly 80 percent of the AI‑based ads. One example cited by Al Jazeera featured a fabricated ad for New York Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman that showed him with New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul gardening together and raising prices for residents. Another ad portrayed Hochul discussing higher tolls and fares that would make driving or subway travel unaffordable. Neither Hochul nor Mamdani actually appeared in the videos; the images were created with artificial‑intelligence tools.
What the reports add
Scott Babwah Brennen, director of New York University’s Center on Technology Policy, described the phenomenon as “slopaganda” – a blend of low‑quality AI output and propaganda – that aims to convey “deeper truths rather than factual truths.” He warned that such ads could shape perceptions of a candidate’s character or ideology and potentially erode voter trust.
What was said
Blakeman defended the ads, saying they were clearly labelled as AI‑generated, with a disclaimer displayed for a few seconds at the start, and that they follow a long tradition of satire and parody in American politics.
How it came about
The rise of AI‑based ads coincides with a broader spending gap between parties. Felo News reported on Sept. 22 that Republicans enjoy a $191 million advantage in ad spending over Democrats ahead of the November 3 elections. The new wave of AI ads adds a technologically sophisticated layer to that financial disparity.
Key facts
- More than $80 million has been spent on AI‑generated political ads this election cycle. (aljazeera.com)
- 164 AI‑based ads have been tracked, with Republicans responsible for about 80 percent. (aljazeera.com)
- Bruce Blakeman’s AI ad featured fabricated images of Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul. (aljazeera.com)
- Scott Babwah Brennen called the trend “slopaganda” that may affect voter trust. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “AI deepfake ads grow more popular in US midterm campaigns, blurring truth”
