AI ads and legislative debate in midterm elections
Max Raskin evaluated the rise of AI-generated political advertisements in the midterm election cycle and state and federal legislative efforts targeting these contents.
During the midterm election period, a noticeable increase in political advertisements produced using artificial intelligence has accelerated legislative regulation and banning initiatives across the United States.
The Rise of AI Advertisements
Max Raskin, a visiting fellow at New York University School of Law and a Post Opinions contributor, pointed out that advertisements produced with artificial intelligence technology have proliferated unprecedentedly in this midterm election cycle.
Examples from Texas and New York
In the Texas Senate race, Republican Ken Paxton shared an advertisement showing his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, reading extreme-left views from the Bible.
In New York, Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman distributed an AI-generated video showing Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul robbing taxpayers.
Steps at State and Federal Levels
While candidates targeted by these explicitly fictitious images have expressed discomfort, thirty-one states have banned or regulated the use of AI-generated deepfakes in election campaigns.
Federal figures, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, are also leading similar legislative efforts.