Artificial intelligence tools are being used to influence voters in Ontario through deepfake videos and AI-generated content.

The rise of these technologies in the political arena raises significant concerns regarding misinformation and the integrity of the democratic process. As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, officials are grappling with how to prevent the manipulation of public opinion through synthetic media.

One prominent example occurred in 2024 with the release of the "Gravy Plane" parody video [1]. The AI-generated song and music video targeted Premier Doug Ford and garnered hundreds of thousands of views [1]. The content used synthetic audio and visuals to mimic political figures, demonstrating the scale at which deepfakes can reach the electorate.

Political parties and elected officials at Queen’s Park have expressed concern over the deployment of these tools. The ability to create highly realistic but false depictions of candidates allows for a new form of political warfare that can spread rapidly across social media platforms.

These developments have prompted calls for new legislation to regulate the use of AI in political campaigns. Lawmakers are considering frameworks that would require the disclosure of AI-generated content, or ban its use in specific contexts, to protect voters from deception.

Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Colin D’Mello said the shift in how political narratives are shaped in the province is notable. The transition from traditional attack ads to AI-driven deepfakes represents a fundamental change in the tools available to political operatives.

As the technology evolves, the challenge for Ontario remains balancing the right to political satire and free expression with the need to prevent the deliberate spread of falsehoods that could sway an election.

“AI-generated content becomes more convincing, officials are grappling with how to prevent the manipulation of public opinion.”

The integration of AI into Ontario's political landscape signals a shift toward 'synthetic' campaigning, where the speed and reach of deepfakes outpace current regulatory frameworks. This creates a vulnerability in the information ecosystem, as the burden of verification shifts to the voter, potentially increasing polarization and distrust in official communications.