Lula allies challenge Flávio Bolsonaro over AI-generated…

On May 30, 2024, the Brasil da Esperança Federation petitioned the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to remove AI-generated content targeting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The alliance, comprising the Workers’ Party, the Communist Party of Brazil, and the Green Party, alleges that this campaign constitutes unlawful negative campaigning ahead of the official election period.

What happened

The coalition identified a network of 31 Instagram accounts allegedly responsible for creating and disseminating synthetic content on a large scale. According to the court filing, this network has amassed over 1.4 million followers and produced nearly 24,000 posts, reaching an estimated 10 million users. The complaint names Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and federal lawmakers Mario Frias, Gustavo Gayer, and Gilvan da Federal, accusing them of systematically amplifying this content by reposting it on their personal accounts.

The federation argues that when public figures share such material, it grants a "seal of approval" to degrading AI-generated content, distorting public perception and lending legitimacy to anonymous or pseudonymous creations. Beyond static posts, the complaint alleges that the network produces AI-generated anti-Lula jingles on TikTok, which are subsequently integrated into videos across other platforms.

In response to the filing, Flávio Bolsonaro stated that the use of properly identified AI for satire, criticism, or memes is permissible in a democratic society. Gilvan da Federal denied the need for AI or anonymous accounts to express his political views. The coalition has requested that the TSE order the removal of the posts, fine Flávio Bolsonaro for early campaigning violations, and preserve data associated with the accounts to assist in identifying the creators behind the network.