Asheville Performer Demands Removal of AI Political Ad
The campaign for Jennifer Balkcom faces a cease-and-desist over an AI-generated ad that uses an unauthorized likeness.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Drag performer Nova has issued a cease-and-desist order to the Jennifer Balkcom campaign after an AI-generated political ad featured her likeness without permission. The advertisement, funded by the National Republican Congressional Committee, remains active on YouTube and television.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the absence of state-level regulation in North Carolina regarding the disclosure or authorization of AI-generated content in political campaigning. This case underscores the challenges performers face in protecting their likenesses from unauthorized digital manipulation in electoral advertising.
The ad utilizes generative AI to fabricate a 100% synthetic dance scene featuring candidate Jamie Ager and Nova. The advertisement persists across broadcast and digital platforms despite the lack of legal disclosure requirements in North Carolina for synthetic media.
The players
Nova
An Asheville-based drag performer whose likeness was synthesized by an AI model for use in a political advertisement.
Jamie Ager
The Democratic candidate depicted in an AI-generated scene with whom the drag performer has no personal connection.
Jennifer Balkcom
A political candidate whose campaign is the recipient of a cease-and-desist order regarding the use of AI content.
National Republican Congressional Committee
The political organization that funded the advertisement utilizing artificial intelligence to depict the candidates.
The details
The advertisement relies on generative AI models to synthesize a barn dance scene involving a drag performer who has never met candidate Jamie Ager. By manipulating digital imagery, the software creates a visual likeness that appears to place the performer and candidate in a shared setting. The campaign utilizes this imagery to influence voter perception, while the performer challenges the unauthorized appropriation of her identity to simulate these interactions.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Nova identified the unauthorized use of her likeness in the campaign advertisement.
The Tech Race
This incident highlights the widening gap between rapid advances in generative video synthesis and the current North Carolina legal framework. The absence of state disclosure laws for synthetic political media marks a significant hurdle for those seeking to regulate AI likeness misappropriation.
Asheville voters remain exposed to synthetic media advertisements on broadcast and social platforms until a resolution is reached between the parties. Local observers should monitor for potential court filings or injunctions that could force the removal of these AI-generated ads.
The takeaway
The lack of disclosure mandates for synthetic media leaves residents vulnerable to AI-generated political misinformation that relies on unauthorized likenesses. Observers should track whether the candidate files a formal action for misappropriation to challenge the digital depiction.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence and its intersection with current digital media ethics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
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