AI Video of PM's Wife Sparks Political Firestorm

The race to Spain's government is intensifying as a new political advertisement has ignited a fierce debate over the use of artificial intelligence. The conservative People's Party released a video this week on its social media platforms that used deepfake technology to imitate prominent figures from the ruling Socialist party. The clip features AI-generated likenesses of several individuals, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez. In one segment, the digital version of Gómez discusses obtaining a university position due to her husband's influence. Another deepfake depicts former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero claiming he hid jewelry in a safe. Both figures are currently under investigation, though they have both denied any wrongdoing.

The video quickly went viral, accumulating nearly two million views by Friday. The Socialist party responded with immediate criticism. Óscar López, the minister for digital transformation, called the ad a colossal lie during an interview with TVE. He argued that it was intolerable for a party to publish such content on official channels. López pointed out that the label indicating the video was AI-generated was tiny and nearly transparent at the bottom of the screen. He warned that viewers unfamiliar with these technologies could easily mistake the footage for reality.

Legal action followed the backlash. Leire Díez, a former Socialist party member whose likeness appeared in the ad, filed a complaint against the People's Party on Friday. She demanded the immediate removal of the video, citing defamation and digital identity theft. Díez alleged that her image was used to suggest she worked to undermine the judiciary to benefit her former colleagues. However, legal experts seem to side with the conservative party. Most of nine specialists consulted by El País agreed the video is not illegal because it is labeled as AI-generated and maintains a satirical tone. Experts noted that legality is distinct from ethical appropriateness, and many believe the context makes it clear the figures did not actually say the lines.

Reaction from political scientists has been mixed. José Javier Olivas, a professor studying populism and AI, called the move regrettable. He stated that while both main parties have attacked each other's morality, this video crossed a red line by putting words in other people's mouths. He described this tactic as a form of disinformation. This issue is also gaining traction in the United States ahead of the midterm elections. A recent report identified over 200 AI-generated ads, most linked to Republicans. Experts note that current usage often lacks clear disclaimers, a trend that is now influencing global political standards.

The People's Party has largely dismissed the criticism. Party figure Borja Sémper stated that a problem only exists if there was malicious intent to deceive the public. He maintained that viewers can clearly see the use of digital tools to highlight Socialist hypocrisy. The stakes are high as the country prepares for a general election on November 29. Most polls indicate the People's Party will win, but they will likely need support from the far-right Vox party to form a government.