A Michigan Republican congressional candidate faced backlash after a video featuring an artificial intelligence-created voiceover of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appeared on his TikTok account. The AI voiceover of King endorsed Anthony Hudson for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District in a spoof of King’s famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. Hudson, an Army veteran and small business owner, initially apologized, claiming a volunteer posted the AI video without his knowledge. He later changed his tone, implying that MLK would endorse him if he were alive today due to his vision for a better Michigan.
After initially taking responsibility for the AI video, Hudson later decided to not only retain his campaign staffer who posted it without his knowledge but also give him a raise. Hudson believed that MLK would be disgusted by the suffering of Flint, Michigan residents under the current administration, further justifying his decision to keep the staffer. He argued that if MLK were alive today, he would endorse Hudson and his vision for a better Michigan. Hudson has been involved in a longshot presidential campaign earlier this year and is one of three Republicans competing in the Michigan GOP primary.
The video featuring the AI-created voiceover of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. endorsing Anthony Hudson was deemed disturbing and disrespectful. Hudson initially claimed that a volunteer posted the video without his knowledge and that AI was used to manipulate both MLK Jr.’s voice and his own to make the video appear more authentic. However, he later backtracked and decided not to fire the campaign staffer responsible for the video, offering a raise instead. Hudson believed that MLK would support his vision for a better Michigan and referenced the suffering of Flint residents under the current administration as a justification for his decision.
The controversy surrounding the AI video featuring a voiceover of MLK endorsing Hudson highlights the use of technology in political campaigns and the impact it can have on public perception. Hudson’s initial apology was followed by a change of heart, where he decided to keep the campaign staffer responsible for the video and even give him a raise. This decision was justified by Hudson’s belief that MLK would endorse his vision for a better Michigan. The video, which has since been deleted, sparked outrage and raised questions about the ethical implications of using AI in political messaging.
Hudson’s involvement in a longshot presidential campaign earlier this year and his decision to retain the staffer responsible for the AI video could have consequences for his current congressional campaign. The video featuring the AI voiceover of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. endorsing Hudson drew negative attention to his campaign and raised concerns about its messaging and integrity. While Hudson initially claimed to have no knowledge of the video’s creation, he later took a different stance, implying that MLK would support his candidacy. The controversy surrounding the video highlights the need for transparency and ethical standards in political campaigns.
