Researchers tracked $80 million in political ads using AI—and Republicans were behind 83% of them
Don't expect a disclaimer on that AI slop political ad you see this year.
In the 2026 U.S. midterm campaigns, AI-generated political ads are becoming increasingly common on television and social media. A study conducted by researchers from the Wesleyan Media Project analyzed almost $80 million in spending on nearly 170 unique AI-enhanced ads. The findings reveal that Republican sponsors, including candidates and interest groups, are more likely to use AI in their advertisements compared to Democrats.
This disparity is attributed to varying political ideologies, with Republicans generally favoring a free market approach. The study also found that only a small percentage of AI-enhanced ads disclose their use of AI, posing challenges for voters in discerning the authenticity of these ads.
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