New Jersey Republican uses AI to generate opponent’s voice in new ad – Washington Examiner
In a recent advertisement, New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea utilized artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of his primary opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, highlighting past anti-Trump remarks made by Ciattarelli. This ad comes as Spadea campaigns for the Republican nomination for the 2025 election, while Ciattarelli is viewed as the frontrunner after narrowly losing to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. The ad features a decade-old quote from Ciattarelli, in which he criticizes Trump, followed by a message contrasting his past and present views. Ciattarelli’s team expressed frustration over the use of an AI-generated voice but did not contest the authenticity of the quoted statements. The exchange reflects the contentious dynamics of the race as both candidates navigate their positions on Trump and their campaign strategies.
New Jersey Republican uses AI to generate opponent’s voice in new ad
New Jersey talk radio host Bill Spadea, a candidate in the state’s 2025 gubernatorial race, posted an ad showcasing an artificial intelligence voice mimicking his opponent about his old anti-Trump quotes.
Spadea’s primary opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, is the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the New Jersey race after his close loss to Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) in 2021.
Ciattarelli did not endorse President-elect Donald Trump until March, after going through his previous governor’s race without the support of the former president. The ad shown by Spadea’s campaign features a quote from nearly a decade ago in which Ciattarelli says, “Sitting silently and allowing [Trump] to embarrass our country is unacceptable. He is not fit to be president of the United States.”
After a variety of quotes featuring some anti-Trump sentiment from Ciattatrelli are shown, the ad ends with: “Jack Ciattarelli Anti-Trump Then. Jack Ciattarelli Anti-Trump Now.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign was upset by the use of an AI voice portraying him in the attack ad.
“Spadea is terrified of real — and recent — video of him trashing Trump,” Ciattarelli consultant Chris Russell said on X. Spadea’s campaign responded in turn.
“Pay attention to the fact that Jack doesn’t like that a voice is being used to highlight his words — BUT he’s NOT disputing that those words are actually his, because his anti-Trump comments are indisputably his own,” Spadea campaign manager Tom Bonfonti told Politico.
The use of AI in campaign ads is not unprecedented, but it is novel. The Federal Communications Commission advanced a proposal in July that would require political advertisers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in television and radio ads.
“There’s too much potential for AI to manipulate voices and images in political advertising to do nothing,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. “If a candidate or issue campaign used AI to create an ad, the public has a right to know.”
The New Jersey gubernatorial race will last through much of 2025 until a winner is decided in November. Ciattarelli is considered the GOP front-runner while there is a crowded Democratic field vying to replace the term-limited Murphy.
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