Republican uses AI clone to debate absent Democratic rival in Virginia

Virginia Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid held a debate with an AI-generated version of his Democratic opponent this week, after state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi declined to participate in person. The unusual campaign stunt highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming a new political weapon, potentially forcing candidates to engage or risk having opponents create AI versions of them instead.

What happened: Reid’s team created an AI replica of Hashmi using her public statements and voice synthesis technology for the debate format.

• Reid stood at a podium across from a television screen displaying Hashmi’s image, answering questions on minimum wage, electric vehicles, and education from a recorded moderator.
• The Republican candidate’s team assembled Hashmi’s responses based on her previous public comments and used AI to replicate her voice.
• Hashmi’s campaign spokesperson called the debate video a “desperate move” by Reid.

The big picture: This represents a new frontier in political tactics where AI technology can force opponents into uncomfortable positions.

• When candidates refuse to debate, their opponents can now create AI versions based on public statements, potentially putting non-participating candidates at a strategic disadvantage.
• The technology’s growing adoption in political circles may compel future candidates to participate in debates rather than risk having AI clones created by their opponents.

Political AI precedent: Other high-profile candidates have already begun experimenting with artificial intelligence in their campaigns.

• New York mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams previously integrated AI into their political advertisements.
• The Virginia debate represents an escalation from AI-enhanced ads to AI-powered campaign events.

Why this matters: The incident showcases how AI tools are creating new ethical and strategic challenges in political campaigning, where the alternative to participation may be having opponents control your digital representation entirely.