Opposition deepfake video sparks outrage in Spain ahead of election
Spain's conservative People's Party has faced backlash for using AI-generated deepfake videos of political opponents in their campaign. The videos, which depict members of the Socialist party admitting to wrongdoing, have sparked a national debate regarding the ethics of AI in elections.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the growing threat of synthetic media and misinformation in democratic processes, raising concerns about voter manipulation.
Pedro Sánchez and his wife at a campaign rally in Fuenlabrada last weekend. Pedro Sánchez and his wife at a campaign rally in Fuenlabrada last weekend. Spain Opposition deepfake video sparks outrage in Spain ahead of election Video shows AI likenesses of people linked to Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist party appearing to admit to wrongdoing
Prefer the Guardian on Google A political ad from Spain’s main opposition party that used a deepfake video of the prime minister’s wife has sparked outrage and set off a wider debate on AI, as the deeply polarised country gears up for general elections next month.
Launched this week across the social media channels of the conservative People’s party (PP), the video used artificial intelligence to manipulate the likenesses of various people linked to Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist party and appeared to show them admitting to acts such as soliciting prostitutes and taking kickbacks.
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