Political campaigns have poured $137 million on AI-made ads ahead of a crucial midterm—after spending virtually nothing last election cycle
Fortune 15
Campaigns have dramatically increased spending on AI-made political ads for the 2026 midterm cycle, according to a Wesleyan Media Project report. The report found more than $137 million spent on 220 AI-influenced campaign videos through Oct. 11, versus less than $50,000 on AI-generated ads in 2024. Over 70% of AI campaign videos lacked AI disclosures, shifting campaign work toward handling misinformation and potentially affecting how voters interpret and trust election information.