Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, utilized advanced technology while in custody by leveraging an AI-generated voice copy for campaigning.
Khan is serving a jail time for disclosing confidential information, an allegation he claimed were were fabricated to prevent him from participating in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February.
Despite hurdles like internet disruptions and attempts at censorship, Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), orchestrated a “virtual rally” on social media.
The AI-produced four-minute message, imitating Khan’s voice, was crafted based on a script relayed through legal channels.
This audio formed part of a five-hour live-stream on Facebook, X, and YouTube, accompanied by historical footage and clearly marked as AI-generated.
Known for their adept use of social platforms, PTI’s objective was to sustain the momentum leading up to the imminent general elections in February.
However, Khan encountered bans on broadcasting and social media due to earlier confrontations and subsequent arrest earlier in the year.
Reactions to the digitally delivered speech were diverse, with some applauding the technological ingenuity while others expressed that a genuine rally and speech were irreplaceable.
Analysts raised concerns regarding the potential misuse of AI, citing risks of disinformation and impersonation of leaders.
Although Imran Khan was replaced as PTI’s leader during his incarceration, he remains the symbolic head of the party.
