Imran Khan, the previous Prime Minister of Pakistan who is currently imprisoned, utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) to announce his party emerged victorious in the national election. Despite his incarceration, Khan’s AI-based avatar delivered a victory message to his supporters, emphasizing the establishment of ‘genuine freedom.’ The video self-designated as AI-produced, describing the result as an extraordinary feat for the Tehreek-e-Insaf party in the 2024 general elections.
This announcement challenged the proclamation of victory made by political adversary Nawaz Sharif, who Khan criticized as a ‘dishonorable man’ amidst the peculiar election circumstances. This election witnessed significant turmoil and contestation, with several candidates from Khan’s party being obliged to run as independents due to the legal troubles faced by key party members.
As per the latest election commission updates, independents are leading with 100 seats, trailed by PMLN with 73 seats. Many of these independents are expected to be aligned with Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party. The final results are yet to be declared, with confirmation pending for nine of 265 contested seats.
The temporary PTI chief expressed confidence in his party being the dominant political force in the national assembly and in its capability to form a government. Simultaneously, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from the Pakistan People’s Party asserted that the formation of federal and provincial governments would require the PPP’s cooperation.
Controversially, a major social media platform was reported to experience nationwide disruption, an action deemed ‘shameful’ by PTI. Doubts about transparency were also raised by a PMLN member, Mohammed Zubair, along with concerns from international observers about election credibility, signifying apprehensions about the integrity of the process.
This latest AI-based incident involving Khan resonates with a previous incident in December 2023, where an incarcerated Khan addressed his supporters through an AI rally, leading to an internet outage accusation of suppressing PTI. The AI replica stated that the party, being prohibited from conducting rallies, is experiencing the harassment and abduction of their members and their families. Hence Khan’s assertion of election victory in AI form raises pertinent questions about the credibility of the electoral process, simultaneously hinting at the increasing application of AI in politics.
