As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a new kind of artificial intelligence is creating fresh worries for democracy. It’s called Sora 2, and it can generate realistic videos of people who never existed — or make real people appear to say and do things they never did. It’s like Photoshop for video, but far more convincing.
At first, Sora 2 might sound exciting. Creators can make short films, ads, or animations without expensive equipment. But when it comes to politics, the same technology will be used to spread fake news faster than ever. Imagine a clip of a senator saying something outrageous just days before the election — and millions of people see it before anyone can prove it’s fake. That’s the nightmare scenario many experts are warning about.
The problem isn’t just the technology itself. It’s how easily false information can go viral. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) reward content that gets strong emotional reactions. A fake video designed to make people angry or shocked will spread faster than a boring fact-check. By the time the truth catches up, the lie may have already done its damage at the ballot box.
There’s also a new and more subtle threat: plausible deniability. Once people know deepfakes exist, anyone caught saying something damaging on video can simply claim, “That’s not me — it’s AI.” When both fake and real footage can look identical, the line between truth and fiction starts to disappear. If voters stop believing what they see, trust in the entire election process could crumble.
Part of the challenge is that governments and regulators have been — purposely — slow to respond. While experts have warned about the dangers of AI-generated misinformation for years, few concrete rules have been put in place. Some agencies hesitate to act for fear of limiting free expression or innovation, while others lack the technical knowledge to monitor deepfakes effectively. This delay leaves a wide-open space for bad actors to exploit the system.
Even when rules exist, selective enforcement can make things worse. Regulators may move quickly against some cases of misinformation while overlooking others, creating confusion and distrust among the public. Without clear, consistent standards, both voters and content creators are left guessing what counts as manipulation and what doesn’t. Consistent enforcement — and transparency about how those decisions are made — is crucial if we want to rebuild confidence in online information.
To prepare for 2026, the U.S. needs strong rules and digital literacy. Tech companies should clearly label AI-generated content and quickly remove misleading deepfakes, especially in political ads. Lawmakers should consider transparency laws requiring campaigns to disclose if any part of an ad uses AI. And for everyone online, the best defense is skepticism — take a moment to check the source before you share that “shocking” clip.
Sora 2 could change how we make stories and art — but it could also change how we see reality itself. As the 2026 midterms draw near, democracy at large can’t afford to let fake videos decide real votes.
Nota bene: This opinion piece was 90% AI generated.