Ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, political campaigns and outside groups have significantly increased spending on advertisements produced at least in part with artificial intelligence (AI). Citing research from the Wesleyan Media Project, Gizmodo reported that more than $137 million has been spent on such ads — a dramatic rise from roughly $50,000 recorded during the 2024 election cycle.
How much activity was detected and how was it measured?
Researchers identified 220 ads this year that involved AI in their production, appearing across 34 states. The actual number may be higher because it can be difficult to determine the role of AI in creating a given image or video, and only 30 states currently require disclosure of AI use in political advertising. There is no uniform federal standard covering all such ads.
Who used AI the most and how much did they spend?
The Wesleyan Media Project’s analysis found that Republican campaigns used AI-produced political ads at a far higher rate than Democratic campaigns, and also spent more on them: 81 percent versus 12 percent. The Republicans’ share of spending (88 percent) exceeds their share of ads, suggesting that on average they may have spent more per AI-related ad.
Why this shift matters
AI-generated images, videos and other creative materials can make campaign communications cheaper and faster to produce. At the same time, the technology enables the creation of scenes or statements that never occurred in reality. That blurs the line for voters between authentic footage, digitally altered videos and entirely synthetic content.
Not every AI-made campaign asset is deceptive: an artificially generated background or illustration does not automatically distort reality. The concern becomes acute, however, when technology is used to put fabricated statements into real people’s mouths, or to depict fictional events as real.
Political responses and strategy
Democrats’ relative caution toward AI-produced ads is partly explained by the party’s stronger push for tighter regulation of the technology; some Democratic candidates have made opposition to AI-generated political ads part of their message. For example, Texas Democratic candidate James Talarico concludes one of his ads with the line: “Made by people. Not artificial intelligence.”
What will be revealed after November?
Whether the use of AI proved worth the large expenditures will be clearer after the November 2026 elections. The outcome will not only decide which party holds the majority in Congress, but will also influence how prominent a role AI will have in shaping political messaging going forward and what regulatory responses may follow.
