The Lincoln Project, a political action committee known for its efforts against former President Donald Trump, has recently stirred controversy with a new campaign featuring AI-generated content. In the bold move, they have brought back Fred Trump, the late father of Donald Trump, using artificial intelligence to criticize his son’s alleged financial and personal missteps.
The commercial, titled Fred, showcases the late real estate mogul expressing disappointment over his successor’s business dealings, life choices, and relationship with his children. This comes at a time when the Trump empire faces a significant financial judgment of US$355 million in New York related to accusations of fraud and mismanagement.
Donald Trump has accused The Lincoln Project of tarnishing his name through the use of AI, prompting a response from the organization. The ad portrays Fred Trump lambasting his son in a robotic voice, saying, Donny, I always knew you’d blow it, and highlighting the times he had to bail him out.
The co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson, defends the use of AI in the campaign, emphasizing transparency by clearly stating that the voiceover is generated by artificial intelligence. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of AI-generated content on political campaigns, particularly regarding the potential to deceive voters and erode trust.
As AI technology continues to advance, the regulatory frameworks governing its use in political messaging have lagged behind, creating a gray area vulnerable to misinformation. The debate surrounding the ethical implications of AI in political campaigns is likely to intensify as technology evolves further.
