In brief
AI-driven political advertising is becoming a staple in the US midterms, with external NGOs and candidate teams deploying deepfake or synthetic media. BBC Verify has documented dozens of such AI ads, illustrating their use across campaigns. While outside political groups finance many ads, individual candidates also produce them for key races. This trend raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the ethical use of synthetic media in elections.
Researchers say AI ads are being used more than ever in the US midterms campaign ahead of the elections in November.
Some of the ads are being funded by outside political groups but they have also come directly from candidates in some key races.
BBC Verify has tracked dozens of AI ads to assess how they are being used by campaigns – as Jake Horton explains.
Produced by Krystal Campos. Graphics by Sally Nicholls and Henry Esterson.
