The 2024 U.S. presidential election is just around the corner, and artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a bigger role than anyone could have imagined. But not in the doomsday way experts originally predicted. Instead of overwhelming voters with realistic AI-generated deepfakes, we’re getting something else—something absurd. AI isn’t spreading hyper realistic, undetectable fakes (at least not yet), but it is cranking out a flood of comically exaggerated images and videos that are both entertaining and problematic.

We’re talking about former President Donald Trump riding a giant cat while holding an assault rifle. We’re talking Vice President Kamala Harris in communist garb, sporting a mustache. It’s all so over-the-top that no reasonable person would believe it. Yet these AI-generated images are making waves on social media. Some people laugh them off as harmless fun, while others see them as a new form of propaganda that skews public perception and stirs division.

So, what’s really going on here? And why should we care?

The AI Deepfake Apocalypse That Didn’t Happen

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Experts initially feared that the rise of AI would lead to a deluge of ultra-realistic deepfakes that would confuse voters and throw elections into chaos. The idea was simple but terrifying: AI could create fake videos of candidates making outrageous statements or committing crimes, and voters wouldn’t be able to tell what was real.

Fortunately, we haven’t seen that level of deepfake chaos—yet. Instead, AI has given us memes. Funny, absurd, and sometimes downright bizarre memes. The internet is awash with AI-generated images and videos that are so exaggerated, even the most gullible of us would think twice before believing them. But while these creations may seem harmless at first glance, they carry their own set of issues.

The Meme Machine: How AI is Changing Political Satire

Let’s start with the Trump camp. It’s no secret that Trump’s team, and Trump himself, have fully embraced AI-generated content. From memes showing Trump surrounded by kittens on a private jet to bizarre images of animals holding anti-immigrant signs, AI is helping the former president’s campaign craft viral content that both entertains and inflames.

Trump supporters claim it’s all in good fun. Caleb Smith, a Republican strategist, argues that Trump’s larger-than-life personality naturally lends itself to “over-the-top communication,” and that these AI-generated images are just another extension of that. In other words, it’s not about deception—it’s about entertainment. A joke, a meme, a laugh. Nothing more, nothing less.

But not everyone is laughing. According to Francesca Tripodi, an expert in online propaganda, these AI-generated images serve as new, viral vessels for spreading age-old racist and xenophobic narratives. Take the absurd claim that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, for example. It’s ridiculous, right? Yet, somehow, AI-generated images of kittens pleading for Trump’s protection from Haitian migrants have gained traction. And with that traction comes real-world consequences—like bomb threats and evacuations in Springfield.

So, while the memes may seem harmless, they can still pack a punch, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and spreading disinformation under the guise of humor.

It’s Not Just the Trump Camp

AI isn’t just a tool for the right. Democrats have also dabbled in AI-generated imagery, though they seem to do so with less frequency. Left-leaning users have posted AI images mocking Trump and his supporters, such as pictures of Trump in handcuffs or being chased by police. One standout example involved AI memes about Elon Musk, a Trump supporter and owner of X (formerly Twitter), with AI-generated images that poked fun at his controversial decisions and political leanings.

That said, the Democrats seem to be more cautious when it comes to AI-generated content. The Harris campaign, for instance, is staying away from AI memes entirely. According to Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, they’re using AI for productivity tools, like data analysis, but not for campaign messaging.

This restraint might be wise. As funny as AI-generated memes can be, they can also blur the line between satire and misinformation. And with the stakes this high, it’s a line that can’t afford to be crossed lightly.

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The Problem with Hyperrealism and Misinformation

Here’s where things get tricky. While some AI-generated memes are so outlandish that no one would mistake them for reality, others hit a little too close to home. AI has the potential to create images that are hyperrealistic, and that’s where the danger lies.

As Rep. Adam Schiff points out, when AI-generated content is “obviously intended to deceive,” it crosses a line. This is where memes stop being funny and start becoming a serious threat to democracy. And while Trump’s campaign claims it doesn’t “engage or utilize” AI tools from specific companies, it’s clear that they’ve embraced AI-generated content, whether for humor or otherwise.

What makes AI so dangerous in this space is its ability to create content quickly, cheaply, and convincingly. In the past, creating a believable fake image or video required significant effort. Now, anyone with an internet connection can use AI tools to spin up a political meme in seconds. And once it’s out there, it spreads like wildfire, drawing clicks, likes, and shares before fact-checkers have a chance to step in.

The Global AI Election Problem

Of course, this isn’t just a U.S. problem. Around the world, AI is being used in political campaigns, and not always for laughs. In Slovakia, for example, AI-generated audio clips impersonating political leaders were used to spread false claims about election fraud. In New Hampshire, deepfake audio of President Biden was used in robocalls to mislead Democratic voters. These incidents show that AI can be weaponized to undermine elections in a way that’s much harder to laugh off.

The concern is that as AI technology improves, the line between reality and fiction will blur even further. We may not be at the point where hyper realistic deepfakes are a widespread problem in the 2024 U.S. election, but it’s only a matter of time.

What’s Next for AI in Politics?

So, where does this leave us? AI isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s only going to play a bigger role in elections moving forward. The question is, can we keep it from becoming a tool for mass deception?

Platforms like Meta and X are trying to crack down on AI-generated misinformation, but they’re fighting an uphill battle. AI is evolving faster than our ability to regulate it, and that means campaigns will continue to find ways to use it—whether for humor, propaganda, or worse.

It’s not just about catching up with the technology; it’s about finding ways to stop AI from undermining the very foundations of democracy. This includes pushing for transparency when AI is used in political campaigns, holding platforms accountable for the content they allow, and educating the public about the dangers of AI-generated misinformation.

Stay Vigilant

As we move closer to the 2024 election, it’s more important than ever for voters to stay informed. Don’t just take everything you see online at face value. Be skeptical, do your research, and verify sources before sharing content. The power of AI may be growing, but so is our ability to recognize and combat misinformation.

Share this article to help raise awareness about the role of AI in political campaigns. Together, we can fight the tide of disinformation and ensure a fair election.