The Dominican Republic condemned an AI-generated video by Spain’s People’s Party that linked the nation to corruption. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologized following the backlash. The incident highlights the rising use of AI in political campaigns and its implications for social media engagement among younger voters.
The Dominican Republic has expressed its disapproval regarding an AI-generated video released by Spain’s main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP). The video suggested a connection between the Caribbean nation and corruption while criticizing the Spanish government, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to issue an apology.
On Wednesday, the PP shared a video on the social media platform X, which featured a shirtless Prime Minister Sanchez and was entitled “The Island of Corruption.” The video parodied the reality show “The Island of Temptations,” filmed in the Dominican Republic, and incorporated the country’s flag along with a map.
The Dominican Foreign Ministry responded on Thursday, labeling the video as a “vicious and incomprehensible attack” that misused its national symbols for Spanish political discourse. Following the backlash, the PP deleted the post, which had garnered over 400,000 views, and asserted that it did not aim to harm the Dominican Republic’s reputation.
Prime Minister Sanchez expressed that he had not seen the video, yet he conveyed his “deep shame” regarding the incident and apologized on behalf of Spain. This controversy arises shortly after a similar situation in which former U.S. President Donald Trump displayed a controversial AI-generated video of the Gaza Strip.
Political campaigns are increasingly incorporating AI technology, providing a cost-effective solution for generating visual content. In Spain, the PP is vying for attention with the far-right Vox party, particularly among younger voters who predominantly engage with news on social media platforms, as indicated by current survey results.
The Dominican Republic has formally condemned a partisan AI-generated video by Spain’s People’s Party for its defamatory implications. Prime Minister Sanchez’s apology signifies acknowledgment of the misstep. As AI technology becomes more pervasive in political communication, its potential for misuse raises crucial ethical considerations. The context of this incident illustrates the competitive nature of contemporary political landscapes, particularly among the youth-driven social media sphere.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
