The Dominican Republic has condemned Spain’s People’s Party over an AI-generated video linking the nation to corruption, which was removed after significant backlash. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed shame and apologized on behalf of Spain. This incident points to the rising reliance on AI in political communication amid ongoing competition among parties for the youth vote.
The Dominican Republic has officially rebuked Spain’s People’s Party (PP) over a controversial AI-generated video that connected the Caribbean nation to corruption while criticizing the Spanish government. The video, which featured a shirtless Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on a beach, was titled “The Island of Corruption” and parodied the reality show “The Island of Temptations,” filmed in the Dominican Republic.
In a statement issued by the Dominican Foreign Ministry, the video was condemned as a “vicious and incomprehensible attack,” asserting that it improperly employed national symbols for Spanish internal politics. Following significant backlash, the People’s Party removed the video from social media after it had garnered over 400,000 views.
Prime Minister Sanchez expressed his deep regret over the incident, stating he had not seen the content but apologized on behalf of Spain. This incident follows another controversy involving AI, where a different video portrayed the Gaza Strip as a vacation destination, causing public outcry. As political campaigns increasingly leverage AI technologies, the People’s Party aims to resonate with younger voters who predominantly consume news via social media.
The recent controversy surrounding the AI-generated video underscores the delicate relationship between nations in the context of political discourse. The Dominican Republic’s condemnation of the misuse of its symbols highlights the potential ramifications of political actions fueled by technology. Additionally, the incident reflects the broader trend of AI’s growing influence on political communication, marking a significant shift in campaign strategies as parties seek to engage younger demographics.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
