Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently behind bars, has leveraged artificial intelligence to address his supporters in a virtual powershow organized by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The online rally, held on Sunday, showcased a four-minute speech delivered by an AI voice replicating the 71-year-old political leader, garnering over 1.5 million views on YouTube within 12 hours.
Despite facing restrictions on in-person rallies and media blacklisting of Khan’s name and image, the PTI’s social media chief, Jibran Ilyas, praised the event as a “historic attempt.” The use of AI to emulate Khan’s voice has sparked both intrigue and controversy, with critics questioning the fairness and legitimacy of employing such technology in political discourse.
In his virtual address, the AI-assisted Khan acknowledged the efforts of the social media team and emphasized the importance of the rally in maintaining PTI’s political presence. “No PTI political rally is complete without Imran Khan,” stated Ilyas.
However, the virtual powershow was not without consequences. Reports emerged of reduced internet speeds and limited access to social media platforms, leading to concerns that the Pakistani authorities may have orchestrated disruptions ahead of the rally. The move has further fueled apprehensions about the fairness of the upcoming elections scheduled for February.
Allegations of electoral interference have been directed at the election commission, accusing it of modifying constituency borders to favor Khan’s opponent, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Additionally, mainstream media in Pakistan has reportedly blacklisted any mention of Khan, and there have been widespread raids and arrests of Khan’s allies and supporters, with accusations of harassment and kidnappings.
In his AI-voiced speech, Khan addressed the reported incidents, stating, “Our people are being kidnapped, and their families are being harassed.” Khan, who remained highly popular until his ousting in April 2022, was removed from power by the military establishment and subsequently arrested on charges ranging from illegally selling gifts to leaking classified documents. He claims that the charges against him are politically motivated. As the country braces for the upcoming elections, the use of AI in political messaging adds a new layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape in Pakistan.
