Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to create and spread content in state and local political campaigns. In one notable example, AI was used to create a deepfake video targeting Adrian Perkins, the mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, during his reelection campaign. The video depicted Perkins as a high school student being reprimanded for his failures as mayor. Perkins believes the deepfake ad was one of the reasons he lost the race. The use of AI in campaigns raises concerns about the spread of misinformation, particularly in lower-profile races where candidates may lack the resources to combat misleading content. Local candidates have already faced criticism for using AI in misleading ways, such as altering their appearance or promoting fake news stories. The decline of local news outlets further exacerbates the issue as there is less coverage and scrutiny of candidates. While efforts to regulate AI in politics have been limited, more than a third of states have passed laws on the matter.

However, Congress has yet to take action. The impact of AI in campaigns varies depending on the resources and expertise of the candidates. Some candidates find AI tools invaluable for their campaigns, helping to save time and money. However, there are concerns that AI-generated falsehoods could influence close races decided by narrow margins. As AI becomes more prevalent in politics, the challenge lies in differentiating between truth and manipulation. Local-level elections face greater challenges in fighting back against AI attacks due to limited resources. While both the Biden and Trump campaigns are experimenting with AI, down-ballot campaigns face significant disparities in staffing, funding, and expertise compared to federal-level races. The story concludes by emphasizing the need for more scrutiny and regulation surrounding AI in politics.