Deciding with fake images: More candidates are using AI in political ads to get your vote; NBC NEWS, October 23, 2026

 Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC; Deciding with fake images: More candidates are using AI in political ads to get your vote

At least 220 ads — mostly Republican — generated or enhanced with artificial intelligence have circulated in the lead-up to the midterms, at a cost of almost $137 million.

"Evette is not the only one whose image was manipulated in the lead-up to the midterm elections. The Wesleyan Media Project, a group of experts that tracks political propaganda in campaigns, identified at least 220 ads produced or enhanced with artificial intelligence by candidates or political action committees this election cycle. They cost just under $137 million.

It’s a significant leap in the use of this technology compared to 2024, when the investment in AI was less than $50,000 during the presidential election. As of May of this year, the money spent on these AI ads was already $20 million."

Biden Made Trump Bigger. Harris Makes Him Smaller.; The New York Times, August 11, 2024

Ezra Klein , The New York Times; Biden Made Trump Bigger. Harris Makes Him Smaller.

"Not all elections take place in new media environments. But elections that do are often won by the candidate who best understands the way attention is changing. Franklin Roosevelt understood radio in a way that Herbert Hoover didn’t. John F. Kennedy understood television in a way that Richard Nixon didn’t. Obama rode the early wave of social media. Trump mastered the algorithmic era of social media, where outrage and controversy cashed out as engagement. The platforms have changed again, chasing TikTok’s dominance, and now memes and clipped and remixed videos rule."

The American Library Association (ALA) released a statement November 9 announcing the candidates running for ALA president for the 2025–2026 term.; American Libraries, November 9, 2023

American Libraries; Helmick, Pun Seek 2025–2026 ALA Presidency

"The American Library Association (ALA) released a statement November 9 announcing the candidates running for ALA president for the 2025–2026 term...

Helmick and Pun, as well as any petition candidates, will take part in a virtual candidates’ forum at 2 p.m. Central on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Each candidate will have the opportunity to share a statement and answer questions from members. Register to attend.

Ballot mailing for the election will begin March 11, 2024, and will run through April 3. Individuals must be members in good standing to vote in the 2024 ALA elections. Renew your membership online or by calling 1-800-545-2433, option 1. For more information, visit the ALA Election webpage."