{
  "id": 3971325,
  "title": "The 2026 Midterms Are Coming. Political Deepfakes Are Already Here",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/the-2026-midterms-are-coming-political-deepfakes-are-already-here",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-28T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/2026-midterms-political-ai-deepfakes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, and political deepfakes are already a reality. Scammers are leveraging generative AI technology, like OpenAI, Google, and Meta, to create realistic content that can deceive even the most discerning individuals. AI impersonation is on the rise, and it poses a significant threat during election season, as it can erode trust and create chaos. Bobby Ford, chief strategy and experience officer at Doppel, explains that AI tools have decreased the time and resources required to create deepfakes, making the process faster and more accessible. The three \"V's\" - volume, velocity, and vectors - have increased, allowing for the rapid creation and distribution of synthetic media in various formats such as video, audio, and email. While the goal of this technology may not always be to produce a perfect imitation, the real concern lies in its ability to manipulate emotions and beliefs. During the 2024 primary presidential election, voters in New Hampshire received robocalls claiming to be from Joe Biden, only to discover they were AI-generated deepfakes. Political campaigns often lack the necessary cybersecurity measures, making them vulnerable to these attacks. Michael Kaiser, president and CEO of the nonprofit Defending Digital Campaigns, highlights the difficulty campaigns face in protecting themselves while simultaneously using the same platforms that bad actors exploit to reach their target audience. The ultimate goal of these deepfakes is to sow discord and manipulate voters during election season and beyond. Recently, Sen. Mitch McConnell's office posted a photo of him during his recent hospitalization, sparking widespread speculation about its authenticity. Digital forensics experts found no proof that the image was digitally altered, but the speed and ease with which it could be fabricated demonstrates the growing threat of AI-generated content. The ease with which these deepfakes can be produced has lowered the barrier for scammers, allowing them to flood the internet with spammy or scammy content. The key to combating this issue is to pause and think before acting on any messages, especially if they carry a sense of urgency. Taking a moment to question the source and intent of the communication can help protect oneself from falling victim to these deceptive tactics.",
  "summary": "Remember that fake Joe Biden robocall? That likely won’t be the last AI deepfake we see during election season.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}