Imran Khan, Speaks Via Artificial Intelligence Prior To General Election

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to construct a voice clone, embattled former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan inspired his fans from behind bars, enabling him to campaign for his party months ahead of an anticipated general election.

Khan was convicted of corruption in August and has been imprisoned ever since. In addition, he is charged with disclosing classified material, a charge that the former politician and cricket player has refuted time and time again and claims is meant to prevent him from running in the February national elections.

The government shut down the Internet for three days after Khan’s brief incarceration in May provoked fatal rioting, causing the country’s media regulator to forbid television stations from airing Khan’s statements.

Khan has been the subject of private legal proceedings. Since his arrest in August, no public image of Khan in custody or court has been released.

During the almost seven-hour-long online rally on Sunday, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party published a four-minute movie that mimicked Khan’s speech using artificial intelligence (AI).

The audio was accompanied by historical video and pictures of the nation’s previous leader.

“AI voice of Imran Khan based on his notes for Jalsa,” the video’s description says.

My fellow Pakistanis, first, I would like to praise my social media team for this historic attempt,” the AI voice said.

“Perhaps you are wondering what my condition is in jail … My determination for real freedom is strong.”

The voice added: “Our party is not allowed to hold public rallies … Our people are being kidnapped and families are being harassed.”

The AI voice impersonating Khan in the video pleaded with his followers to cast ballots in the approaching general elections.

Khan came to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform, a message that resonated with the country’s youth, who observers say had become disillusioned by the political dynasties and military establishments that have dominated Pakistan for much of its more than seven decades in existence.

Opposition MPs accused Khan, four years into his mandate, of driving the nation to the verge of economic catastrophe. In April 2022, a legislative no-confidence vote resulted in his removal from office.

Tens of thousands of people attended nationwide demonstrations against Khan’s removal for months afterward. The former cricket captain became one of the most well-liked leaders in Pakistan’s history as a result of the demonstrations, which became a regular feature of the country’s unstable political landscape and paved the way for nearly a year of occasionally violent protests.

Khan’s virtual rally on Sunday was seen live by tens of thousands of people on various social media platforms and received over 1.4 million views on YouTube. During the PTI’s virtual protest on Sunday, social media sites in Pakistan were blocked for almost seven hours, according to NetBlocks, an Internet watchdog that keeps an eye on cybersecurity.

Politicians who claim to be fighting state repression have used AI technology, and the AI audio recording is one example of how they have done so.