AI-generated ads reach $137 million in 2026 US midterms, transparency questioned
World
AI-generated ads have taken over the 2026 US midterms, with spending crossing $137 million, most of it coming from Republican candidates and allied groups.
The catch? Only 27% of these ads actually mention they're made by AI, which has people worried about transparency as November 3 approaches.
Deepfake ads found in 34 states
A lot of these AI ads show fake images or videos of candidates: 220 such cases were spotted in 34 states through October 11.
Thanks to AI, making these ads is way cheaper than before, but rules are all over the place: while some states have deepfake laws (many under legal challenge), there's still no nationwide guideline.
Most voters aren't fans of AI-generated campaign content, and many say it makes it harder to know what's real and what isn't.