How D.C.’s political campaigns are (and aren’t) using AI

Source Domain: 51st.news

If you want to get to know D.C. mayoral candidate Vincent Orange a little better, you can give him a call at his campaign phone number.

Why is he running? His neighborly voice will tell you, “I’m running because Washington D.C. deserves experienced leadership and real results.” What are his top priorities? He responds, “My top priorities start with public safety as the foundation because without safe communities, nothing else works.” Each answer is relatively succinct and gets to the point. And each is powered by AI.

Ahead of the June 16 primary, campaigns throughout the District have largely embraced artificial intelligence, employing it to make custom content, design mailers, do research, generate writing, conduct data analysis, translate campaign materials, and spit out slogans and soundbites.

In the city’s first major election featuring heavy use of the technology, candidates say it has helped them conduct more efficient campaigns. But many also warn of limitations and risks, and the use of AI in the city’s political campaigns is entirely unregulated, raising further questions about ethics, transparency, and trust.

For multiple local candidates, generative AI has enabled the creation of campaign content at a fraction of the cost and time.

Jackie Reyes Yanes, who is running for Ward 1 councilmember, plays a campaign song at events that was produced with the help of the technology. It sets her biography to an anthemic pop song inflected with Latin rhythms and the sounds of a cheering crowd. Mayoral candidate Gary Goodweather says his campaign has employed AI to assist with catchphrases and soundbites. Oye Owolewa, an At-Large candidate, appears to have used AI to enhance a campaign video featuring bobbleheads in his likeness bopping around Malcolm X Park. And Dwight Davis, also running for an At-Large seat, used AI to create a go-go beat that will soon be amplified from an “ad truck” touring the city.

Davis acknowledges that using…

Source