AI video from Friedrich Merz: SPD politician apologizes | EUROtoday

The Schleswig-Holstein SPD member of the Bundestag Bengt Bergt apologized in writing to Friedrich Merz due to a manipulated video shared on Instagram and deleted the video. “I can understand that satire – shared by a politician – can be viewed as a political statement,” stated Bergt’s letter, which was out there to the German Press Agency. The Schleswig-Holstein Newspaper Association and “Spiegel” had beforehand reported.

“I also admit that the content of the video was very exaggerated, sometimes harsh, sometimes perhaps too harshly worded – and that the content is perceived as insulting,” Bergt continued. He underestimated the affect of the video: “I would like to expressly apologize to you for that.” Given this, he “wouldn’t share” the video once more.

For the video, the voice of CDU federal chairman Merz was artificially imitated and false statements corresponding to “The CDU/CSU despise you all” and “We despise democracy” have been put into his mouth.

Bengt Bergt initially defended the video revealed on Monday as exaggerated satire. The video, in line with Bergt, was clearly marked (“Attention: artificial incompetence”) as an AI video. “It is therefore clear to everyone: This is a parody of Merz’s position on hasty new elections, although – I admit that – an exaggerated satire.” It shouldn’t be pretend information, i.e. deliberate misinformation.

The video was additionally mentioned on Wednesday within the debate on the federal government declaration by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) within the Bundestag. Merz accused the SPD of desirous to conduct a grimy federal election marketing campaign in opposition to him. SPD parliamentary group chief Rolf Mützenich later stated: If a member of his group truly used questionable AI know-how, “then I will ensure that this or that member apologizes to you, Mr. Merz.”