AI-Generated Political Ads Surge Ahead of the 2026 Midterms

In North Carolina’s deep-purple Wilmington district, Democratic state-Senate candidate Jessica Bichler discovered an AI-generated advertisement produced by incumbent Republican Michael Lee. The video showed a digitally altered Bichler contorting into impossible poses while falsely attributing positions on policing and health care. After receiving a cease-and-desist letter, Lee’s campaign released a second version with a larger AI disclaimer and toned-down claims.

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The rise of AI-enhanced ads follows a wave that began in the 2024 election cycle. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 31 states have enacted statutes that either ban deepfakes or require clear disclosures. The Wesleyan Media Project, which monitors political ad spending, reported that at least 164 political ads this year have been produced or enhanced with AI, spanning high-profile Senate races in Texas and local contests like Bichler’s.

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Bichler’s supporters initially believed the yoga video was authentic, prompting her to explain the physical impossibility of the depicted movements. She emphasized that her campaign will rely on “facts and reality” rather than AI.

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• “The AI is simply a tool,” — Todd Stiefel

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• “We decided that AI could be a way that we could help people see these words that came out of his mouth, although technically they came out of his typing,” — Todd Stiefel

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