No rules for AI ads in Iowa
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Iowa is among 19 states that don't regulate AI-generated political ads, which have already appeared in races from the U.S. Senate to the gubernatorial seat.
Why it matters: Without restrictions, AI-generated political ads could sway voters to believe a stance that a politician doesn't actually hold.
Zoom in: A recent ad aired by Zach Lahn's campaign shows an AI-generated Rob Sand wearing a face mask and shield, wearing a shirt that says, "Bluer, Redder, Extremely Liberal," and gesturing in approval of gun control.
- The image of Sand was taken from an Iowa Capital Dispatch article from a cancer-prevention discussion at The Empire downtown. He's not wearing anything on his face.
- Sand's campaign disputed the ad's claims and said Lahn is using AI to mislead voters.
- Lahn defended the ad, which includes a disclaimer identifying AI-generated content, saying its claims about Sand's political positions are accurate, according to KCCI.
By the numbers: Wesleyan Media Project tracked six AI-generated ads in Iowa through Oct. 11, according to data shared with Axios.
- Around $1.5 million was spent airing the ads, Wesleyan co-director Travis Ridout says.
Zoom out: Campaigns and PACs nationwide spent around $137 million on 220 AI-generated ads through Oct. 11, mostly from Republicans, Wesleyan found.
- Four states ban certain AI deepfakes in political ads, and 27 more require some disclosure, but no federal law specifically regulates them.
State of play: Iowa lawmakers considered requiring disclosures on certain AI political ads earlier this year, but the proposal failed to become law.
- The bill would have required ads to disclose when AI was used to create realistic but fake images or videos of people.
How to spot one: Look for a well-known person doing something they never did or a stylized, cartoon-like look, Ridout says.
- News coverage can also help, since candidates often call out AI ads made about them.
What we're watching: Iowa lawmakers could revisit AI disclosure requirements when they reconvene in January.