Over the weekend, conservatives flocked to Orange County, California for the Republican Party’s Fall 2025 Convention and Leadership Summit. A significant focus was on how the party plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Brent Lowder, the California director of the Leadership Institute, a right-wing nonprofit, captivated attendees with sessions on the importance of embracing AI in a fast-paced political landscape. Lowder urged conservatives not to fall behind as Democratic opponents potentially harness AI technology.
“AI is a new frontier in technology, and we cannot afford to be slow to adopt it as we have in the past,” Lowder emphasized during his talks.
Understanding AI’s Role in Political Strategy
Historical examples illustrate how technology can shape political campaigns. For instance, in 2008, Barack Obama’s campaign leveraged text messages to announce his vice-presidential pick, resulting in a flood of phone numbers from eager supporters. In 2012, his strategic use of social media outpaced Mitt Romney’s efforts.
Embracing AI: A New Necessity
At 51, Lowder is well-acquainted with the political landscape, having previously led efforts that helped secure Trump’s first term in office. His experience amplifies the urgency for Republicans to remain technologically savvy.
Lowder described AI as “super interns,” capable of enhancing campaign efficiency while also requiring careful oversight due to its potential to produce errors. He warned the audience not to view AI outputs as final products without scrutiny.
Exploring the Benefits and Limitations of AI Technology
Lowder encouraged the audience to use AI creatively, suggesting they ask models like ChatGPT to adopt conservative perspectives when analyzing poll results. He acknowledged that while AI can generate interesting ideas, it sometimes produces exaggerated or off-brand language.
“AI is a tool, and we must remain grounded in its capabilities while also staying optimistic,” he advised, highlighting the contrast between his practical view and the hype surrounding AI from some tech CEOs.
Throughout his discussion, Lowder underscored alternatives to ChatGPT, like Grok and NotebookLM, recommending caution when handling sensitive campaign materials. Privacy concerns are paramount in today’s political environment.
The Conservative Movement and AI: Winning the Narrative
Lowder addressed a question from the audience about whether AI could expose sensitive information uploaded by Democrats. He clarified that while AI cannot access secure materials, it is critical for Republicans to be mindful of what they share.
Lowder acknowledged that popular media often portrays AI as eerie, leading to skepticism within the conservative movement. Yet, he emphasized that to succeed in upcoming elections, embracing technology is essential.
Crafting Effective Campaign Messaging with AI
In a live demo, Lowder showcased how AI could assist in generating social media posts, resulting in both strong and awkward phrasing. His humorous take on a generated message, which boasted about “dominating” the free market, elicited laughter from the audience.
Despite his strong alignment with Trump and Trumpism, Lowder’s discussion style leaned toward traditional Republican values. When addressing potential biases in AI chatbots, he acknowledged the inherent liberal leanings in online data, claiming that “the internet leans left.” His conviction is that free-market solutions will ultimately balance the landscape.
Practical Applications of AI in Campaigning
Lowder illustrated how AI tools can enhance campaign photography, demonstrating before-and-after edits on the images of a former politician. This practical insight highlighted the potential for AI to aid in polishing a campaign’s public image.
As a case in point, he referenced the narrow loss of former Rep. Michelle Steel in the 2024 elections, where less than 700 votes separated her from victory. Such close contests emphasize the need for effective technology use in political strategies.
Recognizing AI Trends and Innovations
Lowder navigated the conversation with relatable anecdotes, such as recognizing AI-generated text by its use of long hyphens—often associated with a younger generation’s writing style. His personable approach resonated with attendees eager to engage with AI tools.
“We must overcome our hesitation and engage with AI technology, or we’ll face serious consequences,” Lowder cautioned, reminding everyone that AI is not a passing trend.
As questions linger about AI’s future role in political operations, one thing is clear: leaders across the spectrum will need to adapt. Although opinions on AI vary widely, its presence isn’t going away anytime soon. The challenge will be how politicians like Lowder and their rivals choose to incorporate it into their strategies.
What are some key benefits of using AI in political campaigns? Leveraging AI can lead to increased efficiency in operations, enhanced voter engagement through targeted messaging, and improved data analysis for strategic decisions.
How can AI influence voter engagement? AI can tailor outreach efforts, optimize social media campaigns, and analyze voter sentiment, leading to more effective communication with constituents.
What should politicians be cautious about when using AI? Politicians must be aware of the potential for AI to produce erroneous outputs, respect privacy concerns regarding sensitive information, and avoid overly relying on AI-generated content for their messaging.
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