How A.I. Is Changing the Way Politicians Run for Office

Republican and Democratic candidates and strategists who were once wary of A.I. tools or overwhelmed by them are now rushing to give their campaigns an A.I. upgrade. Those who do so could reap the rewards in the midterm elections in November and, ultimately, in the 2028 presidential campaign. Those who don’t could fall far behind. But this seismic shift in how politicians run for office is also being met by pushback on multiple fronts, including from voters and campaign staffers who feel distrustful of A.I. and fearful about its potential to wipe out jobs, devour energy and harm the planet. Polls show that Democrats are more leery of A.I. tools than Republicans, and progressive strategists have wrestled with how to deploy the tools in their campaigns without rattling volunteers or unionized staffers who are worried about losing their jobs. Republican strategists have said they get fewer complaints from staffers, though conservative voters still tend to feel concerned about A.I. Political candidates are caught in the middle, more eager than ever to reap the benefits of A.I. while staying out of the political muck over its many costs.