US Campaigns Spent $137M on 220 AI Ads, With 70% Lacking Disclosure

US political campaigns spent more than $137 million on 220 artificial intelligence-generated advertisements during the 2026 election cycle, according to a report by the New York Times. Stuart A. Thompson’s analysis indicates that the vast majority of these synthetic media purchases were made by candidates and political action committees tied to the Republican Party.

The study found that roughly 70 percent of the 220 AI-generated videos failed to disclose that they were created using synthetic media tools. This lack of transparency applies to a broad range of content, from minor visual enhancements to sophisticated deepfakes that mimic real individuals or events.

Political Partisanship in AI Adoption

Republican-linked entities have used AI-generated content at a significantly higher rate than Democratic groups. The New York Times report highlights that this disparity extends across the spectrum of AI application, ranging from subtle edits to fully generated video clips. Republicans have used A.I.-generated content more often than Democrats, according to the source material.

The spending figures represent a substantial financial commitment to synthetic media production. With $137 million allocated to just 220 ads, the total expenditure is significant. The concentration of spending among Republican affiliates is noted in the report as a key finding regarding the distribution of AI ad usage.

Disclosure and Regulatory Implications

The finding that nearly three-quarters of the ads lacked AI disclosure raises questions about compliance with emerging labeling standards. The New York Times report does not specify which federal or state regulations were violated, if any, but the absence of clear labeling is a central concern. Voters and watchdog groups may struggle to distinguish between authentic footage and AI-manipulated content without explicit markers.

This lack of transparency is a factual finding in the report. The content ranged from subtle enhancements to convincing deepfakes, as stated by the New York Times. The report notes that Republicans have used A.I.-generated content more often than Democrats, ranging from subtle enhancements to convincing deepfakes.

What should you do?

Security and technology professionals monitoring the political landscape should track these spending trends for broader implications on media integrity. Analysts can use this data to assess the scale of synthetic media adoption in high-stakes communication channels. Organizations should review their own policies regarding the use of AI in public-facing communications to ensure alignment with best practices for transparency.

What to do and how to stay safe: artificial intelligence

• Monitor political advertising channels for unlabelled synthetic media to identify potential disinformation trends.
• Review internal communication policies to ensure clear disclosure of AI-generated content in public statements.
• Educate stakeholders on how to identify subtle signs of AI manipulation in video and audio files.
• Track regulatory developments regarding AI disclosure requirements in political advertising for compliance readiness.

Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

How much did US campaigns spend on AI ads in 2026?

US candidates and PACs spent more than $137 million on 220 AI-generated campaign ads in 2026.

Which political party used more AI-generated content?

Republican-linked candidates and PACs used AI-generated content more often than Democrats.

Did most of these ads disclose the use of AI?

No, approximately 70 percent of the 220 videos did not disclose that they used artificial intelligence.