AI Deepfake Video Disrupts Oklahoma Governor Race Amid Kansas Vulnerability

• •AI deepfake video used to smear Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei.
• •The video was funded by a PAC with a $900,000 anonymous donation.
• •Kansas has failed to implement protective measures against such deceptive practices.

In a significant development in election misinformation, a dark-money PAC supporting Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond used an AI-generated deepfake video to smear Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei. The video falsely depicts Mazzei interacting with former First Lady Hillary Clinton, creating a misleading narrative ahead of the primary election. The PAC, 'Make Oklahoma Great Again,' received a substantial $900,000 donation from the 'Oklahoma Leadership Advocacy Group,' which remains anonymous due to IRS regulations. This incident highlights the lack of legislative action in Kansas to combat such deceptive practices, despite a bipartisan bill proposed in February 2024 aimed at addressing the issue. The deepfake video raises concerns about the integrity of political campaigns and the potential for widespread misinformation. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission, previously chaired by the PAC's operator, Jarred Brejcha, has been criticized for its inaction. The situation underscores the urgent need for regulatory measures to protect electoral processes from AI-driven deception.