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AI-generated political ads spiked in 2026, but campaigns still prioritized other means of messaging
About 90% of the ads came from Republican candidates or supporters, and voters remained skeptical of AI-made political content, researchers said.
- About 300 political ads were generated or enhanced by AI during the 2026 election cycle, according to The Wesleyan Media Project. Campaigns spent about $187 million promoting this content online and on television.
- Republican candidates or groups supporting them sponsored about 90% of these tracked advertisements. While the $187 million represents a surge, it remains a fraction of the $11.6 billion total political ad spending projected for 2025 and 2026.
- Tim Harper, who works at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said many ads were essentially a "new medium for creating political cartoons." Some campaigns utilized deepfakes, fabricated videos showing individuals saying or doing things they did not.
- A 2025 Pew Research Center study found 71% of Americans would view a candidate less favorably if they knew AI was used for speeches. Travis Ridout of the Wesleyan Media Project cited "reputational risk" and potential voter backlash as reasons campaigns exercised caution.
- Thirty-One states have enacted laws regulating deepfakes in political messaging, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Virginia Tech professor Cayce Myers noted that AI content is "confirming already held opinions" rather than necessarily persuading audiences.
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The AI came to the polls on November 3 less because of the fear of deepfakes than because of their material consequences in everyday life. The expansion of data centers turned the price of electricity, water consumption, pressure on territories and fear of losing jobs for automation in campaign matters. At the same time, big tech corporations and groups linked to the AI industry mobilized hundreds of millions of dollars to influence the election…
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