AI deepfake video causes controversy in Dallas City Council race

DALLAS — An AI-generated 'deepfake' video depicts one of two candidates in a runoff for a Dallas City Council seat, an example of artificial intelligence affecting a municipal race as Texas lawmakers contemplate whether to restrict such content. 

The District 11 race between attorney Bill Roth and former Park Board Member Jeff Kitner is set for a runoff election on June 7 after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote. The race has energized voters in part because of a contentious rezoning of the strip mall Pepper Square. 

However, the high-tech digitally manipulated video is an escalation. WFAA is not linking to the video in order to avoid disseminating manipulated content. 

It was created by a Roth supporter using some real audio from a podcast on which Kitner appeared, but used AI to depict Kitner saying the words -- as well as riding a rollercoaster, drinking coffee and wearing dirty and ill-fitting clothes. 

Roth's campaign said he "strongly opposes candidates and their supporters resorting to personal attacks." 

Kitner said he has intentionally not watched the video and said he is "disappointed" in the negative campaigning. 

"All I'm trying to do is work hard for the city and the district," Kitner said.

The executive director of the Dallas HERO organization, who posted the video, said he is "not paid [by] or affiliated with any campaign." He said he uses satire and humor to "hold all Dallas officials accountable." 

"This is really the first wave in what's going to be an increasing issue in American political campaigns," said SMU Associate Professor of Political Science Matthew Wilson. "It’s getting increasingly hard to tell the difference between what’s genuine footage and what is something that was created by a candidate’s opponent."

Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) authored a bill that would require disclosures on political advertising that is AI-generated. The bill passed the House last month, but has not been assigned to committee in the Senate. 

It's not clear if it would apply to this video of Kitner, as the creator said he was not paid by a campaign to make the manipulated content.