Pennsylvania political campaigns face scrutiny over AI use and corruption claims

Political campaigns in Pennsylvania are facing intense scrutiny as the midterm elections approach. In the race for governor, Republican challenger Stacy Garrity released an AI-generated video depicting Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro. The video, which lacks an immediate watermark or disclosure, features an artificial version of Shapiro discussing sexual harassment scandals. While Shapiro’s spokesperson labeled the ad “cheap” and “dishonest,” Garrity has defended its use. Currently, Pennsylvania law does not prohibit the use of deepfakes in political advertising or mandate specific disclaimers, though legislative efforts to regulate AI-generated content during election periods have been proposed.

In Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has launched two new television advertisements, “Seal” and “Gears,” supporting candidate Paige Cognetti. The ads target opponent Rob Bresnahan, accusing him of stock trading while in office and voting for policies that increase living costs. Cognetti’s campaign frames her candidacy as a movement to combat political corruption and reduce the influence of established political machines.