AI-generated political video featuring former reality TV star Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt’s role as a Batman-like figure has gone viral, drawing attention not only to his over-the-top image but also to the growing role of artificial intelligence in political messaging.
The video depicts Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as a Joker-like villain, Gov. Gavin Newsom as French royalty eating cake, and Pratt as the apparent hero who swoops in to save Los Angeles and California from chaos.
This cinematic ad was created using artificial intelligence and visual effects, highlighting how AI-generated content is becoming a part of modern political campaigns and online influence efforts.
Mindy Romero, founder of the nonpartisan Center for Inclusive Democracy, said whether the video ultimately is good or bad for voters: “It depends on your perspective.”
“As far as we know, Spencer Pratt is not Batman,” Romero joked, adding that most voters can usually tell when a viral video is generated by AI.
The video was created by film director Charles Curran, rather than an official campaign committee, and Curran has not disclosed who funded its production. Pratt shared the video on his social media accounts.
Still, the video raises broader concerns about how AI could be used to manipulate voters, especially as increasingly realistic deepfake technology becomes more widespread.
A California law enacted in 2025 requires certain political ads that use AI-generated or significantly altered content to include a disclosure warning viewers that the material is artificial. This law is overseen by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.
Republican strategist Tab Berg said: Spencer Pratt The video looks more comedic than deceptive.
“The Spencer Pratt Spot is exactly what AI should be: using innovation and technology to create interesting ads that don’t try to deceive voters,” Berg said.
But Berg warned that AI becomes even more dangerous when political operatives use it to deceive the public.
“They literally changed the words of elected officials to change the meaning,” he said.
The Fair Political Practices Commission asked lawmakers for additional funding to identify AI-generated campaign ads. Officials say they have received complaints about the misuse of AI in politics, although no formal violations have been issued so far.
CBS News Sacramento has reached out to Newsom and Bass’ offices for comment, but has not received an official statement.
