Fully AI-generated political TV ad takes aim at Mark Robinson in the governor's race

Introduction

A new era of political advertising has emerged, leveraging artificial intelligence to shape political narratives and sway voter opinions. In what is believed to be the first fully AI-generated ad campaign in North Carolina, investor and Democratic donor Todd Steel has launched a campaign targeting Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. The campaign includes online ads, mobile billboards in Raleigh, and will soon transition to television.

Steel, who started his own super PAC named Americans for Prosperity with an emphasis on parody, is investing approximately one million dollars into this initiative. He aims to capture the attention of voters who are often disengaged from traditional political ads, using humor as a vehicle to entertain and inform.

The AI-generated ads feature a digital version of Robinson making controversial statements, including claims denouncing the Affordable Care Act as a means of enslavement and belittling the Civil Rights Movement. "These are really outrageous things," Steel remarked, emphasizing that the quotes utilized in the campaign are actual statements made by Robinson.

Amanda Sturgill, a journalism professor at Elon University who specializes in digital misinformation, has expressed ethical concerns regarding the use of AI in this capacity. She stressed that such technology can be misleading to the public, as it may mimic the candidate’s voice, making it harder for voters to discern authenticity. Steel, however, defends his campaign as ethical, arguing it relies on real words and beliefs of Robinson rather than fabricating information, and insists there are disclaimers included for clarity.

In response to inquiries about the campaign, Robinson's spokesman, Mike Lonan, criticized Steel's work, dubbing it as "full of fake clips and outrageous lies typical of the smear campaign" that, according to him, voters will see through. The opposing campaign led by Josh Stein also weighed in, denouncing the use of AI in political advertising as misguided, asserting that Robinson is capable of speaking for himself.

As the integration of AI into political campaigns grows, the implications for misinformation and voter perception remain a significant concern.

Keyword

• AI-generated ads
• Todd Steel
• Mark Robinson
• North Carolina
• Americans for Prosperity
• Political advertising
• Misinformation

FAQ

What is the significance of Todd Steel's AI-generated political ad campaign?
Todd Steel's campaign is notable as it is believed to be the first fully AI-generated political ad campaign in North Carolina, aiming to target voters through humor and parody.

What are some controversial statements made in the ads?
The ads feature a digital version of Mark Robinson making statements that include criticizing the Affordable Care Act and belittling the Civil Rights Movement.

What ethical concerns have been raised regarding AI in political ads?
Some experts, like Amanda Sturgill, argue that AI technology can create confusion among voters, as it may mimic a candidate's voice and obscure the authenticity of the messages.

How has the Robinson campaign responded to the AI-generated ads?
Robinson's spokesman has labeled Steel's campaign as traditional smear tactics, claiming it includes fake clips and outrageous lies.

What does the Stein campaign think about AI in political advertising?
The Stein campaign has criticized the use of AI in advertising, stating that it is the wrong approach, as Mark Robinson should speak for himself on the issues.