'Bal Thackeray' targets BJP, Shinde in address to UBT workers; political war erupts over AI-generated speech

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly influencing our lives and politics is no exception. Don't be surprised if you hear speeches by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, George Fernandes, Mulayam Singh Yadav, or any other deceased politician commenting on the current political scenario or taking potshots at rivals of the parties they once belonged to. AI has now forayed into Indian politics, and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena is perhaps the first party to use it on a public platform.

Party workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) gathered in Nashik for a conference called on Wednesday by Uddhav Thackeray were surprised to hear the voice of Bal Thackeray, the late party supremo, bitterly targeting the BJP and Eknath Shinde. Thackeray died in 2012, at a time when Shiv Sena was united and Eknath Shinde was one of the party's most loyal leaders. If it had been an old recorded speech, why would he criticise someone who was then staunchly loyal to him? The answer is — AI.

The thirteen-minute speech played on stage mirrored Bal Thackeray's mannerisms and oratory style. Political observers noted that the content of the speech closely resembled what Uddhav Thackeray has been saying about the BJP and Shinde in his recent public addresses. However, it was difficult to discern that the speech was AI-generated.

The use of Thackeray's voice through AI has not gone down well with the BJP. Ram Kadam, a BJP legislator, retorted that since nobody listens to Uddhav anymore, he is resorting to using the voice of Bal Thackeray. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena also criticised Uddhav, saying he has deviated from his father's ideals and that Bal Thackeray would have never approved of the party joining hands with the Congress.

While the use of Bal Thackeray's voice has drawn criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT)'s rivals, it also marks the beginning of a new trend in Indian politics. During the campaign for the upcoming civic body polls, other political parties are also contemplating the use of AI in various ways, including recreating the voices of their deceased leaders. Apart from political parties, agencies engaged in political consultancy and voter behaviour analysis are also gearing up to harness AI.