Dominican Republic Condemns AI Video from Spain’s People’s Party

The Dominican Republic condemned Spain’s People’s Party for an AI-generated video that linked the country to corruption. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologized for the incident. The PP deleted the video, which garnered 400,000 views, and stated there was no intent to harm the Dominican Republic’s image. This event signals the increasing role of AI in political strategies in Spain.

The Dominican Republic has issued a formal reprimand to Spain’s main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), regarding an AI-generated video it shared. This video inappropriately linked the Caribbean nation to corruption while simultaneously attacking the Spanish government, prompting an apology from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The PP’s social media post featured a manipulated image of Sanchez and was entitled “The Island of Corruption.”

The video parodies a popular reality television show, “The Island of Temptations,” filmed in the Dominican Republic, and prominently displays the country’s flag alongside its geographical location. Following public outcry, the Dominican Foreign Ministry denounced the video as a “vicious and incomprehensible attack” utilizing national symbols in a misrepresented context.

Although the PP later deleted the post, which had garnered over 400,000 views, they stated that there was no intention to harm the Dominican Republic’s reputation. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sanchez expressed his regret over the incident, noting he had not seen the video but felt “deeply ashamed” on behalf of Spain.

This controversy emerged shortly after a similar incident involving a provocative AI-generated video by U.S. President Donald Trump, which drew significant backlash. The political landscape in Spain shows a rising trend in the use of AI for campaign content, offering a cost-effective means to create diverse multimedia. Recent surveys indicate that the PP is vying for the attention of younger voters, especially as competition with the far-right Vox party intensifies in the realm of social media engagement.

In summary, the Dominican Republic’s strong rebuke of the People’s Party highlights the potential diplomatic ramifications of using AI-generated content in political discourse. Prime Minister Sanchez’s apology reflects Spain’s stance against the misuse of national symbols. This incident underscores the need for greater accountability in the growing trend of AI in political campaigns, particularly as political parties seek to engage younger audiences on social media platforms.

Original Source: www.usnews.com