California Primaries Expose AI Ad and Influencer Loopholes as 2028 Risks Grow

1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 1

California’s spring primaries are being flooded with AI-generated campaign content and paid influencer posts, with gubernatorial candidates accusing rivals of undisclosed social-media spending ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
2023 disclosure rules have struggled to keep up: two major deepfake laws were frozen in court, and the Fair Political Practices Commission still relies largely on public complaints to police violations.
The commission says it needs at least $360,000 through June 2027 for software and AI-detection tools, but that funding is not yet secure as Sacramento scrutinizes new spending.
Spencer Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral bid shows the tactic’s reach — fan-made AI videos helped lift the Republican outsider into a competitive race, while Karen Bass says the content promotes hate.
Campaign operatives and election experts say California’s gaps preview a tougher national problem for 2028, when federal rules on influencer disclosures and AI deepfakes are even weaker.

Will AI's power to create viral ads overshadow its potential to displace millions of workers as the top political issue?

As AI-generated political ads flood social media, how can voters reliably separate fact from deepfake?

Can ethical rules for AI in politics work, or will campaigns face a 'use it or lose it' dilemma to win?