Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been behind bars since August, yet his presence looms large in the political arena.
With the country's crucial election approaching, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has already employed unconventional campaign tactics such as distributing pamphlets on the streets and leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (via Reuters).
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan's supporter listens to a virtual election campaign on a phone at Khan's PTI office in Islamabad on February 3, 2024. Former prime minister Imran Khan's party has redefined election campaigning in Pakistan with its social media rallies and use of AI technology in a bid to sidestep a nationwide crackdown that has followed it online. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
Imran Khan's Camp Uses AI for Campaign
Despite facing imprisonment and a barrage of legal challenges, Khan's party, PTI, has embraced innovative strategies to galvanize support, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media.
Amidst the chaos of a contentious electoral environment, PTI has turned to generative AI technology to recreate Khan's voice, allowing him to deliver speeches from his prison cell.
His team created three videos of the former prime minister delivering speeches using generative AI software developed by US startup ElevenLabs.
These AI-generated messages resonate with supporters, urging them to stand steadfast in their commitment to the party's cause.
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AI and TikTok
But PTI's campaign extends beyond AI-generated speeches. Financial Times reported earlier this month that the party had pioneered digital rallies on platforms like TikTok, tapping into the immense reach of social media to engage with a wide audience.
Through chatbots on Khan's Facebook page and other popular apps, PTI provides voters with crucial information about local candidates, circumventing traditional campaign barriers.
The use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns is not without controversy. Recent reports linking a deepfake robocall impersonating US President Biden to the same Silicon Valley startup that PTI employs have raised concerns about the ethics of such technology.
Despite facing formidable challenges, including arrests of supporters and restrictions on traditional campaign methods, PTI maintains a strong support base, particularly among the nation's youth.
However, internal rifts and factionalism pose additional hurdles for PTI. Multiple candidates claiming allegiance to Khan risk splintering the party's vote, highlighting the delicate balance of unity within the organization.
Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case, just a day after receiving a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets. Numerous PTI candidates are also locked up or on the run from criminal and terrorism charges, which they claim are politically motivated.
According to the Financial Times, Khan's supporters believe that confronting a political and military establishment that has long dominated Pakistan puts the country's democracy at risk.
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Investors, company leaders, and individuals representing governments involved in illegal surveillance may face visa restrictions under this new policy.
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