In a time where artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are on the rise, Morten Messerschmidt, the chairman of the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), has caused a stir with a controversial video on his X-profile. The video, which is an AI construction, shows Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaiming the abolition of Christmas, Pentecost, and Easter. This action has sparked a wave of debate about the ethics and legality of using deepfake technology in political communication. Messerschmidt defends the use of the video as a satirical piece and rejects the idea that it could be misunderstood as a real political statement. “If people cannot see that it is satire, they should stop by Louis Nielsen,” he told B.T., emphasizing that his intention was to draw attention to the use of AI tools in politics.
Reactions to the video have been mixed. On social media, several users have expressed concern that such videos could contribute to confusion and misinformation. This concern is shared by SF’s (Socialist People’s Party) tech spokesperson, Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen, who proposes the implementation of common guidelines for political parties’ use of AI videos. “We know that deepfake videos are becoming more widespread and will flood the internet. And the technology is becoming so good that you cannot tell the difference,” she told Ritzau.
Back in 2020, Messerschmidt himself was the target of fake profiles and posts on social media, prompting him to consider both reporting to the police and political actions against the misuse of technology. Now he argues that his use of a deepfake video should be seen as a contribution to the discussion on how to handle and regulate this type of technology responsibly.
As the discussion continues, it is clear that the development of technology poses new demands on both politicians and voters to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape, where the line between truth and manipulation can be difficult to discern.