GOP Ad Uses AI too Depict Schumer Alongside Protestors, Raising Election Concerns
WASHINGTON – A new attack ad released by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) employs artificial intelligence to falsely depict Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer alongside protestors, sparking immediate criticism and raising concerns about the escalating use of AI-generated disinformation in political campaigns. The ad, circulating online, utilizes deepfake technology to create the illusion of Schumer participating in demonstrations related to college campus protests.
The ad’s release comes amid a broader debate over the ethical and legal implications of AI in elections, especially as the 2024 cycle intensifies. Experts warn that increasingly sophisticated AI tools can erode public trust in legitimate information and manipulate voters with fabricated content.This incident highlights a growing trend where political actors are leveraging AI not just to create persuasive messaging, but to actively deceive the electorate, perhaps influencing election outcomes and further polarizing the political landscape.
According to NPR, the ad features Schumer seemingly standing with individuals holding signs and chanting slogans. The NRSC acknowledged using AI to generate the images,defending the tactic as a legitimate form of political commentary. “We’re showing voters what Schumer’s policies would look like,” said NRSC spokesperson Tate Kissinger.
However,the use of deepfakes has drawn condemnation from Democrats and digital security experts. “This is a dangerous escalation,” said Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert at the University of California, Berkeley, in an interview with NPR. “While I don’t think our leaders shoudl be posting deceptive deepfakes, they also run the risk that when they post real content, there will be good reason for the public to question it’s authenticity.”
The incident underscores the challenges facing social media platforms and election officials in combating the spread of AI-generated disinformation. While platforms have policies against deceptive content, identifying and removing deepfakes can be challenging and time-consuming. The NRSC’s ad serves as a stark reminder of the potential for AI to be weaponized in political campaigns, demanding increased vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process. The Federal Election Commission is currently grappling with how to regulate the use of AI in political advertising, with no clear guidelines currently in place.
