Dominican Republic Condemns Spanish Opposition for AI Video Misrepresentation
The Dominican Republic criticized Spain’s People’s Party for an AI-generated video depicting the nation in a negative light, leading to an apology from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The video, which parodied a reality show and linked the country to corruption, was retracted by the PP. This incident underscores the emerging role of AI in political strategies amidst the competitive landscape for voters.
The Dominican Republic has expressed significant disapproval towards Spain’s main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), following the release of an AI-generated video. This video made an indirect association between the Caribbean nation and corruption while criticizing the Spanish government, which resulted in an apology from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
On Wednesday, the PP shared the controversial video on X, featuring government officials, including a shirtless Prime Minister Sanchez, depicted on a beach under the title “The Island of Corruption.” The video parodied the reality TV show “The Island of Temptations,” which is filmed in the Dominican Republic, and included the nation’s flag and map.
On Thursday, the Dominican Foreign Ministry denounced the video as a “vicious and incomprehensible attack,” accusing the PP of misusing national symbols for Spanish political matters. Subsequently, the PP removed the video, which had garnered over 400,000 views, asserting that there was no intention to harm the image of the Dominican Republic.
Prime Minister Sanchez stated he had not seen the content but felt “deeply ashamed” regarding the situation and offered an apology on behalf of Spain. This incident follows a similar controversy surrounding an AI-generated video shared by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which portrayed the Gaza Strip as a beach resort, sparking public outrage.
The rise of AI in political campaigns could increase, as it allows for inexpensive creation of visuals on various topics. In Spain, the PP is striving to engage younger voters, who predominantly utilize social media for information, amid competition from the far-right party Vox, as recent surveys indicate.
The Dominican Republic’s strong rebuke of Spain’s People’s Party over the AI-generated video highlights the potential dangers of using technology in political discourse. This incident not only raises concerns about the impact of such portrayals on international relations but also reflects the changing landscape of political engagement, particularly among younger demographics. With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in campaigns, the responsibility for respectful and accurate representation remains paramount.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
