Race to replace Pelosi enters the AI group chat

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Set us as preferred A parody AI chatbot designed by California congressional candidate Scott Wiener’s campaign to mock the record of his opponent attracted the attention politicians crave and criticism most loathe.The short-lived experiment stirred controversy over the use of artificial intelligence in campaigns ads and drew sharp criticism from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has endorsed Wiener’s opponent for the coveted San Francisco congressional seat.

Wiener quickly pulled the plug.Candidates on both sides of the aisle have been testing the waters by integrating generative AI into campaign ads.It comes as no surprise to political sociologist Mindy Romero, the director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy, who said candidates have long used all tools at their disposal to reach voters, from the invention of the radio and TV to social media.“Using AI is just part of the progression,” Romero said.

Generative AI is particularly useful for political candidates since it allows them to subconsciously influence viewers by putting words in their opponents’ mouths, she said.Even as political campaigns experiment with more outlandish applications of the technology, many have already been using AI in quieter ways, including to compose tailored mailings and participate in digital chat rooms, Romero said.GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton on July 24 released three cinematic ads made using generative AI, the first of which features fictional portrayals of Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, shown sharing a lavish meal.California At a campaign stop in Boyle Heights, Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton sought to appeal to voters frustrated with California while distancing the race from national politicsThe ad also depicts a fake Xavier Becerra, his Democratic rival in the governor’s race, who is heard saying, “I believe a...