Pakistan election: Imran Khan claims victory through AI-generated message on X

Artificial intelligence has entered Pakistani electoral politics. Former prime minister Imran Khan claimed victory in the just-concluded election in an audiovisual message that contained his AI-generated voice.

The video posted in the early hours of Saturday (Feb 10) on the official X handle of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had a watermark saying "4th authorised AI voice of Imran Khan'.

The PTI chief, currently in jail, appeared to congratulate Pakistani voters and denounce Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Nawaz Sharif's claim of election victory.

The video had past visuals of Khan speaking in front of a camera, but the voice did not always sync with his lip movements.

In the message, Imran Khan's voicetells the voters that the huge turnout on election day has scared those in power and commends the courage of voters despite what he calls the prevalence of 'two years of tyranny'.

Almost immediately after it was posted, the video was seen by tens of thousands of social media users.

Here is the full audio-visual message.

Chairman Imran Khan's victory speech (AI version) after an unprecedented fightback from the nation that resulted in PTI’s landslide victory in General Elections 2024. pic.twitter.com/Z6GiLwCVCR — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 9, 2024

On Friday, loyalistsof Imran Khan's PTI party appearedto take lead just when about half of the votes were counted. PTI loyalists' tally surpassed that of PML (N) and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Watch | Pakistan elections 2024: PTI-backed candidates allege tampering of poll results

However, just hours later, Nawaz Sharif claimed victory and addressed his supporters saying that his party would form government with the help of other major parties such as Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan).

Authorities in Pakistan have been undertaking a sweeping crackdown against PTI leaders and cadre. Imran Khan's party was barred from contesting elections and removed from the ballot. As a result, PTI candidates contested elections as independents.

Also Read | Pakistan elections: Imran Khan's allies take lead at half-way point of counting

In Pakistan, independent candidates need to declare party affiliation within 72 hours of their victory.

"...even if PTI is unable to form a government, the elections show there are limits to political engineering," said Bilal Gilani, executive director of polling group Gallup Pakistan.

"It shows that the military does not always get their way -- that is the silver lining," Gilani was quoted as saying by AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)