Taiwan candidate faces backlash over AI-generated celebrity campaign poster

A campaign poster featuring a South Korean celebrity has ignited controversy in Taiwan, with critics accusing a local candidate of misusing public resources for election promotion. The poster, which shows Nationalist Party candidate You Shu-chen alongside South Korean cheerleader Shin Ji-won in traditional Amis indigenous attire, was intended to promote a political donation drive for You's bid for Hualien County Magistrate.

The image first appeared on a fan page, not an official campaign account, and was quickly flagged by netizens for allegedly exploiting a public event for personal political gain. The controversy stems from a recent press conference where the Ji'an Township office invited Shin Ji-won to be a spokesperson for an upcoming indigenous festival. Critics argue that using the celebrity, who was hired with public funds for a township event, in a political campaign poster is inappropriate and potentially illegal.

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The picture was synthesized by AI using online news photos by the supporter themselves.

You's campaign team has since distanced itself from the poster, stating that it was an AI-generated image created by a supporter and was not authorized for election use. They have requested the supporter to remove the post and emphasized that official campaign materials should be considered the definitive source. However, the incident has already drawn sharp criticism, with some calling for an investigation into potential corruption.

This situation underscores the sensitive nature of political campaigning in Taiwan, particularly concerning the use of public resources and the ethical implications of employing celebrity endorsements. The incident also raises questions about the authenticity and origin of campaign materials in the digital age, especially with the increasing use of AI technology.

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The fan page that posted the promotional poster today is not an official fan page, but one set up by supporters themselves.