Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is considering calling a special legislative session to address the use of artificial intelligence in campaign advertisements.
Oklahoma is one of many states that has yet to regulate the use of generative AI, and the continued push for regulation from the governor reflects a growing concern across the country about how AI could affect the midterms. Stitt spoke to CNN on Monday about issues specific to the governor’s race in his state, like attack ads that could confuse voters about what positions certain candidates back.
“When I started seeing some AI-generated ads politically attacking people, putting them in different situations with people, I just thought, listen, we need to make sure that the voters have accurate information and the truth still matters in Oklahoma,” Stitt, who is not running for reelection, told the outlet. “And we need transparency. We want to make sure that the voters aren‘t confused about what they‘re seeing.”
AI has become increasingly present in campaigns, and has even become a regular tool used by President Donald Trump to criticize his opponents.
Trending
Stitt first said he would call this legislative session after the Make Oklahoma Great Again PAC created an AI-generated campaign ad in May that made it seem like a Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mike Mazzei, was pictured hugging Hillary Clinton. Mazzei is the Trump-endorsed candidate in the race.
In a post on X, Stitt referred to the attack as “dishonest, swamp-style politics.”
It’s not clear yet when a special election would be called, but in a statement to NOTUS, Stitt’s office emphasized his desire to address the issue.
“He has been clear that if deceptive AI‑generated campaign content continues in Oklahoma, he will seriously consider bringing lawmakers back to address it,” Tevis Hillis, press secretary for Stitt, said. “Governor Stitt believes Oklahomans deserve the truth in their elections, not computer‑generated smears designed to mislead voters.”
The governor’s race in Oklahoma to replace Stitt is one of the state’s most high-profile contests this primary season. Mazzei is running against several candidates who have already held state-level office, including current Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former public safety officer Chip Keating and the former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Charles McCall.
Stitt said on CNN that his priority is creating a system of disclosure or disclaimer. He said that when AI is used in advertisements, voters should be aware that what they’re viewing is not authentic.
On Friday, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission met to discuss how to handle deepfakes and AI use in campaign materials. The committee plans to work with state lawmakers to determine how to enforce these rules, according to the Oklahoma Voice.
Stitt’s comments on Monday show his continued interest in addressing AI, especially given that the state Legislature adjourned nearly two weeks early in May.
“I really believe that the voters need confidence that when they go to the ballot box, let’s really have a debate about ideas and what direction you want to take the state or the country or your city in,” Stitt said on CNN. “Your imagination can run wild with you. And we want to make sure that that doesn’t happen in our political elections here in Oklahoma.”
Oklahomans will cast their ballots in the primary elections on June 16.
Author
