Dominican Republic Challenges Spain’s Opposition Party Over AI Video Incident

The Dominican Republic condemned an AI-generated video by Spain’s People’s Party that linked the nation to corruption. The video, which featured Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, was labeled a “vicious attack” by the Dominican Foreign Ministry. Sanchez apologized for the incident, reflecting growing concerns about the misuse of AI in political campaigns.

The Dominican Republic has expressed strong disapproval of a video posted by Spain’s main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), which utilized artificial intelligence to link the Caribbean nation to corruption. This action prompted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to issue an apology after being portrayed in a problematic manner in the video.

On Wednesday, the PP shared the AI-generated video on X, featuring imagery of government officials, including a shirtless Prime Minister Sanchez depicted on a beach, with the title “The Island of Corruption.” The video parodied the reality television series “The Island of Temptations,” shot in the Dominican Republic, thus including the nation’s flag and map.

The Foreign Ministry of the Dominican Republic labeled the video a “vicious and incomprehensible attack” for manipulating national symbols for Spanish political discourse. Despite garnering over 400,000 views, the PP later removed the post, asserting that there was no intention to harm the reputation of the Dominican Republic.

In a response to this incident, Premier Sanchez, who claimed he had not seen the video, conveyed feelings of “deep shame” and apologized for the occurrence on behalf of the Spanish government. This controversy arises shortly after an AI-generated video by U.S. President Donald Trump, which illustrated the Gaza Strip as a beach resort, triggered substantial backlash.

With the increasing use of AI in political campaigning, this incident foreshadows a trend, as AI technology provides an economical means for producing animated visuals. The PP is reportedly competing with the far-right party Vox to engage younger voters, a demographic that primarily relies on social media for information, as indicated by recent surveys.

This situation highlights the potential risks associated with the use of AI in political contexts, emphasizing the necessity for responsible and ethical standards amidst growing digital campaigning. The Dominican Republic’s swift response illustrates the sensitivity surrounding national representation and the implications of foreign political discourse. As political parties seek to engage modern voters, they must remain mindful of the cultural and reputational consequences of their tactics.

Original Source: www.usnews.com