NEW YORK (AP) — A super PAC supporting Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination has launched an artificial intelligence chatbot to answer questions about him, marking another example of how tools of generative AI are being used in the 2024 presidential campaigns.
The bot unveiled Wednesday by SOS America PAC listens to a user’s questions and matches them to video responses, created with an AI-powered avatar designed to look and feel like Suarez.
“Hi, I’m AI Francis Suarez,” the bot says to introduce himself, his mouth moving in a way that isn’t quite human. “You’ve probably heard that my namesake, conservative Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, is running for president. I’m here to answer any questions you may have about Mayor Suarez’s proven agenda for economic prosperity, reduced spending, and support for our police. So how can I help? »
The tool is powered by VideoAsk, a product created by software company Typeform which advertises its use in recruiting and sales. The product’s website says customers can create “video funnels” that send visitors down different paths based on the questions they ask, allowing users to “choose their own adventure.”
The chatbot does not seem to answer real questions from a user on the spot; instead, he directs them to a video on a topic from Suarez’s platform.
When asked about Suarez’s immigration plan, for example, the bot begins playing a 55-second video about “Mayor Suarez’s Miami model” that touches on a variety of topics, including “economic prosperity in Miami “, unemployment rates, job creation, homicide rates and homelessness.
When asked if Suarez would support Trump as a GOP nominee, however, the bot turns to a computer-generated cartoon identifying himself as “AI Ron DeSantis.” The cartoon, made to look like the Governor of Florida, says Suarez is concerned with “saving the American economy, supporting our police officers” while DeSantis thinks “the greatest threat to American families today” is “Mickey Mouse, yes Mickey Mouse – run for your life!”
Some questions block the bot, which brings up a screen that reads: “Sorry, I didn’t understand…”
The chatbot joins other examples of 2024 candidates using generative AI tools in new ways in their campaigns.
Last month, DeSantis’ campaign posted a video on social media that used artificial intelligence-generated imagery to show former President Donald Trump hugging infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.
And in April, the Republican National Committee released a dystopian campaign ad meant to show the future if President Joe Biden is re-elected, created entirely with AI-generated imagery.
While artificial intelligence has already been used in political campaigns, AI tools have improved dramatically in recent years, making it faster, cheaper and easier to create images, videos or blocks of text. from zero.
While the tools can streamline tedious tasks and create innovative advertising campaigns, experts warn they can also be used to produce harmful and credible disinformation intended to influence elections.
SOS America PAC and Typeform did not immediately respond to inquiries seeking more information about Suarez’s chatbot.
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Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
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