AI-generated 'slopaganda' in political ads puts internet platforms on alert

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The midterm election cycle has been dominated by "slopaganda," or campaign ads featuring AI-generated clips and images, creating another challenge for Instagram, YouTube and X as they attempt to monitor their platforms.

The term slopaganda dates back to early last year, when a group of AI experts used it in a paper to describe a new phenomenon combining generative AI slop with propaganda and misinformation.

There's no comprehensive federal law governing the use or disclosure of AI in political ads. And while there are some 30 state laws with different requirements about AI use and disclosure, candidates don't always abide by them. On the leading internet sites run by Meta, Google and Elon Musk's SpaceX, users run into AI-generated ads and AI-generated posts shared by politicians, alongside authentic videos and clips.

More than $187 million has been spent on nearly 300 ads generated or enhanced by AI, according to an analysis released last week by the Wesleyan Media Project. That's almost certainly an undercount, the organization says, because so many ads don't contain disclaimers. Over 90% of the spending came from Republican candidates, a Republican party committee or a Republican-leaning group, the report found, and most don't include disclosures.

CNBC found a number of AI-generated ads running online without disclosures, including a fake video of New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul that was posted by her opponent, Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.

In Texas, Republican senatorial candidate Ken Paxton created an AI-generated video showing Democratic opponent James Talarico making controversial statements, with a three-second disclosure flashing in the middle. It's being shared as organic content on YouTube and X by Paxton's campaign.

The Blakeman and Paxton campaigns didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, at left, and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico are U.S. Senate candidates for Texas.