Japanese IT exec used AI to make smear videos for PM Takaichi
1,500 AI-generated attack ads secretly deployed in LDP leadership race
Ken Matsui, 33-year-old head of a Japanese IT firm, said he created 1,000 to 1,500 generative AI short videos criticising rivals of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during last year's ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential race. He was consulted by a secretary of Takaichi on how to reverse the lead of Shinjiro Koizumi. Matsui proposed negative videos would be effective. The consultation happened during an online meeting on September 25. Takaichi won the party election in October and later appointed Koizumi as defence minister. She has denied reports that her camp spread videos online via anonymous accounts to smear opponents.
- Ken Matsui, 33, created 1,000–1,500 AI-generated short videos smearing Takaichi's rivals Koizumi and Hayashi
- He was consulted by a Takaichi secretary in Sept 2024 on 'how to reverse' Koizumi's lead
- Takaichi won the LDP election and later denied in parliament knowing about the AI smear campaign
Why It Matters
Highlights how generative AI enables large-scale, stealth political disinformation with minimal human effort.