Fans use AI videos to promote Spencer Pratt in LA mayor race

In short: Fan-made AI videos are boosting Spencer Pratt’s online visibility in the Los Angeles mayoral race, but it is unclear if they will change votes.

What's going on

Supporters of Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star running for Los Angeles mayor, have been posting AI-generated videos about him online. These clips are not official campaign ads, according to his campaign.

Several videos show Pratt in exaggerated, superhero-style scenes, like fighting crime or saving a dark, broken version of Los Angeles. Other clips use political satire and attack-style messaging, including negative portrayals of rivals such as Karen Bass.

The videos have spread widely on social media, and some have gone viral. Pratt has shared the clips himself, which helps them reach more people.

The technology behind these videos is often called “AI-generated” media, meaning a computer system creates or alters images and audio based on prompts (like telling a program what to draw or how to edit a scene). Critics warn that this kind of content can slide into “deepfakes,” which are fake but realistic-looking videos that can make it seem like someone said or did something they did not (like a forged signature, but in video form). Some people also raised concerns about violent imagery in a few of the clips.

What to watch

It is still unknown whether viral attention will translate into real votes. Analysts quoted in coverage say the videos may energize supporters and generate clicks, but online engagement does not always match who actually shows up to vote. One key question is whether the people sharing and watching the clips are likely voters, especially younger users who often vote less in lower-turnout elections.

Source: NYTimes