Bob Johnston, a contender vying for the mayoral position in Sudbury, Ontario, has adopted artificial intelligence technology to craft campaign posters, aiming to inject a sense of humor and optimism into the local community. The AI-generated visuals depict Johnston as a cheerful cartoon figure, notably showcasing his prosthetic legs. One poster portrays him filling a pothole, while another features him driving a van past the iconic Big Nickel.
Johnston expressed his delight in the community’s reaction, noting that individuals have been discussing and laughing about his unique campaign signs. He mentioned that one person even requested to keep a sign for their garage post-election.
As candidates in Ontario gear up for municipal office elections in October, there is a lack of specific regulations governing the use of AI in political advertising, according to experts interviewed by CBC. Andrea Lawlor, an associate professor at McMaster University specializing in political science, highlighted that AI can serve as a valuable tool for candidates, especially for those with limited financial resources, enabling them to cut down on expenses.
However, the oversight of this new technology remains largely uncharted territory, as Lawlor pointed out that there is a dearth of governance in this area. She emphasized the need for guidelines to ensure responsible and transparent use of AI in the political sphere.
While there are no explicit rules outlined under the Municipal Elections Act or City of Greater Sudbury bylaws that directly address the use of artificial intelligence in municipal election advertising, the city clarified that AI ads must adhere to existing requirements specified in the legislation and bylaws. Scott Lemke, an election law attorney with Massey LLP in Toronto, stated that utilizing AI in ads is generally permissible during elections, with the exception of creating “deepfakes” intended to deceive the public, which is legally prohibited.
Lawlor highlighted that although some progress has been made towards regulating AI usage in political campaigns, there remains a significant scope for government intervention. She mentioned a recent federal bill, Bill C-25, which touches on the responsibility of parties and candidates regarding AI use in elections. However, she stressed that more stringent regulations are needed to address potential misuse of AI technology.
Residents in Sudbury have expressed concerns about AI-generated campaign materials, with some individuals apprehensive about the impact on younger generations’ perception of truth and falsehood. Despite these reservations, Johnston has received positive feedback on his innovative campaign signs, with many commending the novel approach. Johnston expressed pride in being the first to leverage AI technology for his advertising, emphasizing his genuine concern for the city and the need to demonstrate tangible change.
Lawlor cautioned that the evolving landscape of AI in political advertising poses challenges in maintaining standards of verifiability, underscoring the importance of establishing clear guidelines to govern its use. She emphasized the public’s expectation for government intervention to provide clarity on the permissible use of AI in elections, suggesting that disclosure statements on AI content could enhance transparency.
While there is uncertainty surrounding the appropriate use of AI in political campaigns, there is a growing consensus that regulatory measures are necessary to address potential risks associated with the technology. Johnston, when asked about including AI disclosures on his signs, indicated that his current AI campaign was a one-time initiative and expressed uncertainty about future regulations, noting the current acceptance of his approach in the absence of specific laws.
