AI-generated 'Slopaganda' in Political Ads Challenges Internet Platforms

Rise of AI in Political Advertising

The current election cycle has seen a significant increase in "slopaganda," a term coined by AI experts to describe campaign ads that combine generative AI content with propaganda and misinformation. This trend presents a new challenge for major internet platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and X as they work to monitor content on their sites.

Regulatory Gaps and Non-Compliance

There is no overarching federal law in the United States that specifically governs the use or disclosure of AI in political advertisements. While approximately 30 states have varying laws regarding AI use and disclosure, compliance by candidates is not consistent. This regulatory void allows AI-generated ads and posts from politicians to appear alongside authentic content on platforms operated by Meta, Google, and Elon Musk's companies.

Scale of AI Ad Spending

An analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project indicates that over $187 million has been spent on nearly 300 ads that were either generated or enhanced by AI. This figure is likely an underestimate due to the frequent absence of disclaimers and the difficulty in identifying AI use in some instances. The report also found that over 90% of this spending originated from Republican candidates, party committees, or Republican-leaning groups, with most of these ads not including disclosures.

Examples of Undisclosed AI Content

Several AI-generated ads have been found running online without proper disclosures. Examples include a fake video of New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul posted by her Republican opponent, Bruce Blakeman. In Texas, Republican senatorial candidate Ken Paxton created an AI-generated video depicting Democratic opponent James Talarico making controversial statements, which included only a brief three-second disclosure. This content is being shared as organic, unpaid posts by Paxton's campaign on YouTube and X.

Platform Responses

YouTube has stated that it applies "prominent labels to realistic AI content." For organic content, political candidates can request the removal of videos where their face appears to be altered or generated by AI. For advertisers, YouTube requires disclosure when an election ad contains synthetic or digitally altered people or events to ensure transparency for viewers. Google, YouTube's parent company, also mandates that political ads complete its election ads verification process.