A new attack ad against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis features fake AI images of former President Donald Trump embracing Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The ad was released by the DeSantis War Room Twitter account, which is run by DeSantis’ political aide Christina Pushaw.
The use of AI technology in political ads is becoming increasingly common. Earlier this year, Donald Trump shared an AI-created image of himself praying on Twitter, as well as an audio deepfake mocking DeSantis’ campaign launch. The Republican National Committee also used AI-generated imagery in an attack ad against Joe Biden, who announced he would be running for re-election in 2024.
This latest attack ad, which uses fake images to mislead voters, is cause for concern. With the increasing use of AI-generated content in political campaigns, it has become more difficult for voters to discern what is real and what is not. Deepfakes that spread disinformation can have a damaging impact on elections and democracy.
It is important for social media platforms and tech companies to take action against deepfakes and other forms of disinformation. This can include implementing fact-checking measures, improving ad transparency, and removing content that violates their policies. It is also essential for voters to stay informed and skeptical of political ads that use AI-generated content.
In an age where technology has become a powerful tool in politics, it is crucial to ensure that it is used ethically and responsibly. The use of AI-generated images and videos in attack ads is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed before it causes further harm.
