BusinessJul 15, 2026, 8:31 AM

That's not Kathy Hochul. AI campaign ads are going too far. | Opinion - USA Today

30-second summary

AI generated campaign advertisements featuring a likeness of New York Governor Kathy Hochul have sparked controversy, highlighting concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence in political messaging.

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Key takeaways
  • AI generated deepfakes are being used in political advertising.
  • The use of these deepfakes raises significant ethical and misinformation concerns.
  • The incident highlights the need for regulation and awareness regarding AI in political campaigns.
Full story

A recent political advertisement that used AI to create a deepfake of New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ignited a debate about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in campaigns. The ad, which was not authorized by Hochul's campaign, depicted her making controversial statements, raising alarms about the potential for AI to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion.

This incident underscores a growing concern among policymakers and the public regarding the unchecked use of AI in political discourse. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, the ability to create realistic but fabricated content poses a significant threat to democratic processes and public trust.

Why this matters
Everyone

Raises critical questions about AI's role in political discourse and misinformation.

Glossary
deepfake
A synthetic media where a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness.
Sources · 1
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