Republican business and media personality John Reid has utilized AI technology to represent his Democratic opponent, state senator Ghazala Hashmi, in a mock debate for the upcoming 2025 Virginia lieutenant governor race. Hashmi, a candidate for the position, declined to participate in real debate events, prompting Reid to enlist artificial intelligence to simulate a discussion for her. Reid, who is running as the Republican nominee from Richmond, challenged Hashmi, a senator from Chesterfield, to a series of regional debates around the state, highlighting that she was the only of the six statewide candidates to refuse such invitations. Reid’s effort to use AI in this way has drawn sharp criticism from Hashmi’s campaign, which labeled the video a ‘deepfake’ and accused Reid of using tactics reminiscent of former President Donald Trump. The AI debate, which depicted Hashmi’s likeness and voice based on her previous public quotes and policy positions, represents a different approach compared to earlier AI-generated videos that portrayed lawmakers in a caricatured manner. The AI debate was also noted for its use of Hashmi’s real political statements, unlike previous videos where AI was used to warp political reality, as seen in Trump’s viral AI video of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. Reid’s campaign defended the use of AI by emphasizing Hashmi’s stance on issues like education and reproductive rights, while Reid criticized her for avoiding real debate engagements. Reid’s comments also included allegations that Hashmi supported keeping Virginia schools closed an extra year after the pandemic and pushed for policies like allowing boys in girls’ sports, higher taxes, and early release of criminals. The lieutenant governor’s role, according to Reid, is not just about legislative procedures, but about addressing the state’s needs and supporting businesses operating in Virginia.