AI Generated Political Ad Sparks Campaign Controversy
The world of political advertising just got a futuristic, and controversial, new player: artificial intelligence. A recent campaign ad targeting Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has ignited a fierce debate, not just for its message, but for its method of creation.
AI Enters the Political Ring
A 43-second ad from Democrat Blake Gendebien starts with what appears to be footage of Congresswoman Stefanik, but quickly transforms into a series of fantastical, AI-generated depictions of the politician. The ad was designed to taunt Stefanik's rumored aspirations for the governorship of New York.
According to Gendebien, the ad's goal was twofold. “We wanted to get some attention in a more light-hearted, fun way, but still get our message across, which is -- where is our Congresswoman? Where has she been? Will she come around? Will she ask questions and also point out her lack of commitment to the district?” he explained.
A "Responsible" Use of AI?
Gendebien, who, according to reports, is planning a run for Stefanik’s seat in 2026, defended his team's work. He argues that it represents a responsible use of artificial intelligence in a political context. His defense rests on two key points: the ad includes a clear disclaimer, and the AI-generated visuals are so overtly unrealistic that they could not be mistaken for genuine footage.
Satire or Smear? The Legal View
From a legal standpoint, the ad does not appear to cross any lines. Harvey Schantz, a political science professor at SUNY Plattsburgh, classified the spot as a standard negative advertisement. He noted that while some may find it to be in poor taste, it is protected speech. “The Supreme Court doctrine on free speech has held that people in the public eye -- and that includes people that are running for Congress -- are subject to satire, they are subject to being made fun of in the public square,” Schantz stated.
Stefanik Campaign Fires Back
Congresswoman Stefanik’s campaign has strongly condemned the ad. In a sharp rebuke, Stefanik called on the state Democratic Party to denounce what she termed a “bigoted, sexist, AI deep fake that is offensive to voters.”
Gendebien pushed back against these accusations. “I don’t think it’s sexist at all. Again, we tried to do something funny and lighthearted,” he responded. He suggested two possible motives for the criticism: “It is either our Congresswoman has turned woke and is extremely sensitive to these things, or she is just trying to deflect from her desire to become governor and her lack of commitment to the district.”
