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Fortune

Technology

Sasha Rogelberg

Political campaigns have poured $137 million on AI-made ads ahead of a crucial midterm—after spending virtually nothing last election cycle

Artificial Intelligence James Talarico Midterm Elections Republican Ken Paxton Data Centres Fortune

Ken Paxton stands behind a podium and Donald Trump stands next to him. (Credit: Christopher Lee/Bloomberg—Getty Images)

Just two years ago, ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the use of AI in political ads was nearly unheard of. Today, it’s a nine-figure budget line.

A new report from the Wesleyan University-based research group Wesleyan Media Project found more than $137 million in spending on 220 campaign videos made at least partly with AI through Oct. 11, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. By comparison, the group detected less than $50,000 in spending on AI-generated ads in 2024 campaigns.

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