Alarming AI ads are flooding social media in the lead-up to Victoria’s election. But who is behind them?

AI-generated ads are spreading rapidly across social media platforms ahead of Victoria's upcoming election. These advertisements, produced by groups called Fix Victoria and Better Victoria, have amassed thousands of views in the run-up to the vote. The cost of producing these AI-based ads reached up to $100,000 in August, which is considerably more than what the major parties and candidates spent in the same period.

Fix Victoria, which is run by former senior staff members from a conservative thinktank, began its advertising campaign in May. The group's staff include Andrew Hudgson, Gideon Rozner, and Deborah Henderson, who previously worked at the IPA. Rozner, the head of advocacy, claims that their main goal is to ensure that everyday Victorians are aware of the issues facing the state, which include crime, corruption, and debt.

The lack of transparency in Victoria's electoral laws complicates efforts to determine who is funding these advertisements. Groups that publish political ads during campaigns are not required to register as third-party campaigners unless they specifically promote or oppose a political party or candidate. As such, voters may be left unaware of the true source of funding behind these ads.

While Fix Victoria does not technically qualify as a third-party campaign group, its advertisements are clearly designed to sway voter opinions. Transparency International Australia's chief executive, Clancy Moore, emphasized the importance of knowing who is behind such campaigns and their potential political affiliations.