Blakeman’s AI-Generated Anti-Hochul Ad is Devastating,…

In July 2026, gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman released a campaign advertisement featuring an AI-generated likeness of incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul. The commercial depicted the Governor in various settings, using synthetic audio to have her make statements regarding tax increases, crime, and specific policy priorities that she never actually uttered.

What happened

The campaign ad utilized artificial intelligence to create a synthetic version of Governor Hochul, effectively putting words into her mouth to criticize her record. The video portrayed the Governor speaking on topics such as the costs of commuting and healthcare, framing these as her intended policy priorities. The use of this technology has sparked a broader debate regarding the ethics and legality of manipulating a person's likeness for political messaging.

Under a 2024 New York law, political campaigns are required to include a disclaimer on advertisements that are generated using artificial intelligence. However, the legislation includes exceptions for content considered to be satire. While there is no indication that the Blakeman campaign violated existing laws, the incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the intersection of political speech, deception, and the evolving legal landscape regarding synthetic media. Critics argue that regardless of First Amendment protections, generating video that falsely depicts an individual saying things they never said poses a risk to public discourse and transparency.