Flávio Bolsonaro fights to keep AI video criticizing Lulinha online

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is engaged in a legal battle to prevent the removal of a video that uses artificial intelligence to criticize businessman Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha. The video, published in early July, depicts Bolsonaro as a military aircraft pilot on a mission to locate Lulinha, with an AI voiceover alleging he stole millions from elderly Brazilians.

Lulinha's legal team argues that the video should not be dismissed as mere humor. They contend that while the video employs fictional elements like a military mission and a fighter jet, the accusation of Lulinha defrauding retirees is presented as a factual claim, not a joke. The defense asserts that the video's humorous format does not shield it from scrutiny and cannot serve as a defense for disseminating false accusations against an identified individual.

Conversely, Bolsonaro's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit, characterizing the video as political satire. They cite Supreme Federal Court precedents, asserting that humor and parody involving public figures should not be suppressed based on the discomfort they cause. The defense emphasizes that the video includes a clear disclaimer stating it contains satire and AI-generated elements, and accuses Lulinha's initial filing of presenting the scene incompletely.

Bolsonaro's legal team also warns of a "reverse risk," suggesting that removing political criticism before a final judgment could constitute prior censorship. They are requesting the complete rejection of the preliminary injunction. The senator has previously released several AI-generated videos during the pre-campaign, styled after the movie "Top Gun," portraying himself as a military fighter pilot.