AI Video Fiasco: Cuomo's Campaign in Hot Water

Bizarre AI Video Sparks Outrage

Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign is facing intense scrutiny after a peculiar AI-generated video briefly appeared on his X account. The video, which depicted his opponent, Zohran Mamdani, in an unfavorable light, featured AI-generated characters including a pimp, a drunk driver, and a shoplifter cheering for Mamdani. The clip was swiftly removed, but not before it ignited a storm of criticism.

Details of the Controversial Video

The video showcased a black man shoplifting from a convenience store, donned in a keffiyeh and a face mask. The characters in the video made several questionable remarks, including one about domestic abuse. The video was widely condemned as racist and disgusting. Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, a known Cuomo critic and Mamdani supporter, tweeted that the video was disqualifying and that no candidate who approves such an ad should be allowed to govern.

Campaign Spokesperson's Response

Cuomo's campaign spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, denied that the video was an official ad. He explained that it was a draft proposal that was not finished or approved. Azzopardi claimed that the video was posted by a junior staffer and taken down within five minutes. This incident occurs as Cuomo's campaign has been striving to enhance its social media presence following his loss to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary.

Cuomo's Struggle to Connect with Voters

During a recent mayoral election debate, Cuomo admitted that he needed to be more hip and find new ways to connect with voters, similar to Mamdani's approach. Cuomo's use of AI is a stark contrast to his 2020 state of the state address, where he designed a William Jennings Bryan-esque poster featuring a Leonard Cohen quote.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Assemblyman Alex Bores (D-Manhattan) weighed in on the controversy, stating that while the video may sit in a legal grey area for parody and satire, Cuomo should not be toeing the line. Bores was one of the sponsors of a recently enacted law requiring a disclaimer on some AI-generated political content to prevent deepfakes. He argued that the disclosures on these ads seem to violate New York election law.