Victorian Labor defends AI deepfake campaign against rivals

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 22:51 · Archive

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has defended his party's use of AI-generated deepfakes of opposition leaders in a state election campaign.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has defended a controversial AI-generated campaign released by his party ahead of this month's state election. The video, posted to Victoria Labor's Instagram account, depicts deepfakes of Liberal Leader Jess Wilson and One Nation Leader Warren Pickering in a 'trick or treating' skit discussing healthcare charges.

The AI-generated Ms Wilson says that under a new plan for Americanised healthcare, a heart attack would cost $150,000 to treat, before claiming an ambulance call would cost $6,000. The video warns viewers not to risk voting for the opposition.

Mr Carroll told 774 ABC Melbourne on Wednesday that the campaign demonstrates Labor is the party of Medicare and free dental. He pointed to comments by Ms Wilson, claiming she said there was 'nothing wrong' with Americanising the health system. When pressed on the accuracy of the campaign's claims, Mr Carroll said Ms Wilson's words showed every Victorian should be concerned.

Ms Wilson rejected this interpretation, saying she had responded 'not at all' to the suggestion and that her party is 'not in any way, shape, or form Americanising the health system'.

How it is being reported

• Blow torch applied to Victorian Premier over deepfake scare campaignVictorian Labor has deployed AI-generated doppelgangers of its rivals in the fight for this month’s state election – and the Premier is defending it.The West Australian · 4 Nov, 22:17
• Blow torch applied to Victorian Premier over deepfake scare campaignVictorian Labor has deployed AI-generated doppelgangers of its rivals in the fight for this month’s state election – and the Premier is defending it.Perth Now · 4 Nov, 22:17

In this story: Ben Carroll · Jess Wilson · Warren Pickering · Victorian Labor · Victoria

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