Pakistan's detained ex-PM uses AI to give campaign speech from prison

Artificial intelligence was employed to enable Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan, to give a speech remotely while in detention.

As reported by the Guardian, the opposition leader, facing allegations of having leaked classified documents, had a voice clone deliver a four-minute speech on his behalf, part of a "virtual rally" organized by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, utilizing social media despite internet disruptions.

Imran Khan has been in detention since August, and he contends that the charges against him are fabricated to prevent his participation in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February.

“My fellow Pakistanis, I would first like to praise the social media team for this historic attempt”, the voice mimicking Khan said. “Maybe you all are wondering how I am doing in jail,” the stilted voice adds. “Today, my determination for real freedom is very strong”.

The audio was broadcast at the end of a five-hour live-stream of speeches by PTI supporters on multiple social media platform and was overlaid with historic footage of Khan and still images.