AI use in local election campaigns sparks controversy

The ongoing campaign for the November 28th local elections has seen a rise in the use of artificial intelligence, leading to significant backlash on social media. While AI tools offer candidates an affordable way to reach voters, some have heavily manipulated their campaign photos, resulting in images that do not reflect their actual appearance. In one widely discussed case in Bejaia, a candidate who is officially retired was depicted as a young man in his thirties on campaign posters. Critics and social media users have denounced these modifications as misleading. Analysts suggest that while such technology is effective in commercial marketing, its application in politics—where voters typically know their local candidates—may prove counterproductive. Elections are fundamentally about ideas and political programs rather than physical appearance.