GetUp Campaigns to Ban AI Political Advertising
The advocacy group is calling for new regulations to mandate disclosures on AI-generated content in political campaigns.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Advocacy group GetUp has launched a petition calling for a ban on AI-generated depictions of people or events in political advertisements. The campaign urges for mandatory disclosures to address concerns that AI accelerates deception in political discourse.
Why it matters
The group argues that AI technology enables the creation of false imagery that can make fabricated events appear believable to voters. Existing regulations currently require identifying the author of campaign materials but lack specific rules regarding the use of synthetic media.
GetUp produced a video demonstrating the manipulation of imagery to simulate political figures, including Annika Wells, Anthony Albanese, and Pauline Hanson. This initiative highlights the technical ease of generating deepfake content in a political context.
The players
GetUp
GetUp is an Australian advocacy organisation that campaigns on a wide range of social, environmental, and political issues.
Dan Ilic
Dan Ilic is an Australian comedian, writer, and presenter who serves as the head of the advocacy group GetUp.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
This is a parliamentary committee that examines the conduct of federal elections and related electoral laws in Australia.
The details
Comedian Dan Ilic heads the campaign, which illustrates how AI tools can manipulate footage to mimic well-known figures. The initiative serves as a practical demonstration of how easily synthetic media can be deployed, noting that Fix Victoria spent nearly $100,000 on digital advertising across Google and Meta in August.
Timeline
August: Fix Victoria spent nearly $100,000 on digital advertising.
16 October 2026: GetUp launched the petition campaign calling for the ban.
November: The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is expected to release a final report.
The Tech Race
The campaign highlights the limitations of the Electoral Act 1918, which currently mandates author identification but fails to address synthetic digital imagery. This move reflects a broader industry and legislative struggle to adapt to rapid advancements in generative AI.
Voters should be aware that political imagery encountered on digital platforms may be synthetically generated and misleading. The lack of mandatory disclosure means that users must exercise increased scrutiny when viewing campaign materials online.
The takeaway
The rise of synthetic media in politics necessitates a more critical approach to the content individuals consume on digital platforms. Voters are encouraged to verify the source and authenticity of political ads before accepting visual information as fact.
What happens next
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is expected to release its final report into the 2025 federal election in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence in Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mumbrella.
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