Marketplace Tech How U.S. political campaigns have used generative AI
Jan 5, 2026
Tim Harper, a senior policy analyst and co-author of a pivotal report on generative AI in political campaigns, dives into the 2024 presidential race's digital landscape. He explains how campaigns utilized AI for efficient messaging and data analysis, steering clear of deepfakes. Harper discusses why worst-case scenarios didn’t unfold, attributing it to voluntary norms and fears of voter backlash. He highlights the patchwork of state regulations and stresses the importance of ongoing civic education to build resilience against AI-driven misinformation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Powers Faster Persuasion
- Campaigns mainly used generative AI to scale messaging and speed up operations rather than to create spectacular deepfakes.
- Tim Harper says the real AI revolution in politics is faster persuasion and analysis, not fake videos.
Norms Limited Harmful Uses
- Voluntary norms and fear of voter backlash kept campaigns conservative in their use of manipulated content in 2024.
- Tim Harper warns that as norms erode, campaigns may race to use manipulative AI to stay competitive.
Adapt To A Patchwork Of Laws
- Many states passed laws requiring disclaimers on manipulated political ads, creating varied rules across jurisdictions.
- Tim Harper implies campaigns must adapt ad copy and labeling to a patchwork of state regulations.