AI Video Fiasco: Cuomo's Campaign in Hot Water

Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A bizarre AI-generated video surfaced briefly on Cuomo's X account, depicting his opponent, Zohran Mamdani, in a less than flattering light. The clip showed a group of AI-generated characters, including a pimp, a drunk driver, and a shoplifter, cheering for Mamdani. The video was quickly taken down, but not before it sparked a wave of criticism. The video featured a black man shoplifting from a convenience store, wearing a keffiyeh and a face mask. The characters in the video made some questionable remarks, including one about domestic abuse. The video was widely condemned, with many calling it racist and disgusting. Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, a Cuomo detractor and Mamdani fan, was among the critics. He tweeted that the video was disqualifying and that no candidate who approves such an ad should be allowed to govern. Cuomo's campaign spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, denied that the video was an official ad. He stated that it was a draft proposal that was not finished or approved. Azzopardi claimed that the video was posted by a junior staffer and taken down five minutes later. This incident comes as Cuomo's campaign has been trying to boost its social media presence after his loss to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary. During a recent mayoral election debate, Cuomo admitted that he needed to be more hip and find new ways to connect with voters, like Mamdani had. Cuomo's use of AI is a stark contrast to his 2020 state of the state address, where he designed a William Jennings Bryan-esque poster featuring a Leonard Cohen quote. Assemblyman Alex Bores (D-Manhattan) weighed in on the controversy, stating that while the video may sit in a legal grey area for parody and satire, Cuomo should not be toeing the line. Bores was one of the sponsors of a recently enacted law requiring a disclaimer on some AI-generated political content to prevent deepfakes. He argued that the disclosures on these ads seem to violate New York election law.