Dominican Republic Denounces Spanish Opposition Party for AI Video Misuse

The Dominican Republic condemned Spain’s People’s Party over an AI video linking the nation to corruption. Prime Minister Sanchez apologized, stating he was ashamed of the incident. The controversy reflects the increasing use of AI in political campaigns amid rising competition among Spanish political parties.

The Dominican Republic has issued a strong condemnation against Spain’s main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), following their release of an AI-generated video. This video indirectly associated the Caribbean nation with corruption while criticizing the Spanish government, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to offer an apology.

On a recent Wednesday, the PP shared on social media an AI-created video showcasing officials including a shirtless Prime Minister Sanchez, which bore the title “The Island of Corruption.” This video mimicked the theme of the popular reality show “The Island of Temptations,” highlighting the Dominican Republic’s flag and its geographic map.

In response to this portrayal, the Dominican Foreign Ministry labeled the video a “vicious and incomprehensible attack” that improperly utilized national symbols for political discourse within Spain. The PP subsequently removed the video, which had garnered over 400,000 views, asserting that they never intended to tarnish the image of the Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Sanchez expressed his regret about the incident, noting he had not viewed the video but felt “deeply ashamed” and extended an apology on behalf of Spain. This controversy follows a previous incident where U.S. President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting the Gaza Strip in a misleading manner.

The increasing use of AI in political campaigning is notable for its cost-effectiveness, allowing for easy creation of digital content on various subjects. In Spain, the PP faces competition from the far-right party Vox, particularly in appealing to a younger demographic that predominantly sources news from social media, based on recent research.

The Dominican Republic’s rejection of the PP’s AI-generated video highlights the delicate balance of political messaging and national image. Prime Minister Sanchez’s apology underscores the negative implications of using AI in political discourse, particularly in sensitive contexts. As the trend of utilizing AI technologies grows within political campaigns, parties must navigate the potential repercussions of their creative choices.

Original Source: www.usnews.com