Spencer Pratt reposts AI videos in LA mayor race, raising ad questions

In short: AI generated political videos are spreading in the Los Angeles mayor’s race because a candidate is reposting them, not because his campaign made them.

What's going on

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is sharing AI generated campaign style videos during the Los Angeles mayor’s race. The New York Times reports the clips were not created by Pratt’s campaign. They appear to be made by other people and then boosted by Pratt through reposts.

This is a shift from traditional political advertising. In the past, a campaign usually paid for a video, placed it on TV or online, and clearly “owned” it. Now, anyone can make an attention grabbing AI video at low cost and a candidate can benefit just by sharing it, similar to how a song can go viral after an influencer reposts it.

Some strategists say these unusual videos work because many voters ignore standard political ads. A strange or funny clip can get someone to stop scrolling, which is the first step toward getting a message across.

The episode also highlights a key line people are trying to draw. AI generated ads are not always the same as “deepfakes” (fake videos that make a real person appear to say or do something they never did). A strategist quoted in the coverage said the Pratt videos are not deepfakes of that type.

What to watch

Expect more fights over what counts as an “ad” when a candidate shares third party AI content. Regulators and social media platforms may push for clearer labels on AI made media and stricter rules for impersonation, but many clips will sit in a gray area. Candidates may also argue about how ads are made, including whether they support human jobs in film and TV or rely on AI tools.

Source: NYTimes