Virtual PTI Rally
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated and facing charges he alleges are politically motivated, employed artificial intelligence to conduct a virtual campaign rally for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Imran Khan has been in jail since August and is accused of leaking classified documents, preventing him from participating in the upcoming general elections on February 8.
The PTI utilized AI to create a four-minute message, mimicking Khan’s voice and rhetoric. The AI-generated speech was based on a shorthand script provided by Khan’s lawyers and converted into audio using ElevenLabs’ AI tool for voice cloning.
The virtual rally, hosted on social media, featured the AI-generated speech as part of a larger live stream on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The mimicked voice addressed the current challenges, including imprisonment, and called for strong voter turnout in the upcoming elections. This creative use of AI technology allowed Khan to communicate with supporters despite his physical absence from public events.
Simultaneously, social media disruptions occurred, lasting seven hours and impacting platforms where the virtual rally was being broadcast. The incident was consistent with previous instances of internet censorship targeting PTI activities, as reported by global network monitor NetBlocks.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is investigating the disruptions, but the caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi did not address potential violations of free speech and assembly mandated by election laws.
Despite mixed reactions to the authenticity of the AI-generated speech, the virtual rally was viewed by over 4.5 million people. PTI’s innovative use of technology continues to shape its political communication strategies, particularly when physical rallies are not feasible.
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