Andrew Cuomo's Extensive Use of AI Made His Campaign a Toxic Joke

"Zohran Mamdani won the race to be New York City's mayor by a landslide this week, leaving his Democrat-turned-independent rival Andrew Cuomo in the dust. Mamdani ran a strikingly effective campaign that showed him as a genial and relatable young man with a penchant for connecting authentically with voters, often by talking to them right on the street. He kept a laser focus on popular issues of affordability, and projected an infectious sense of optimism."

"But Mamdani's fortunes were unquestionably boosted by Cuomo's campaign being an unmitigated disaster. No matter how hard Cuomo's aides tried, they couldn't cover up the sense that the former New York governor, who resigned from the position in 2021 after the Department of Justice accused him of sexually harassing over a dozen women, was a fundamentally repulsive figure. Now 67 years old, his comeback efforts radiated elitism and entitlement owing to the political dynasty he was born into, oozing an aura of decay"

"Few facets of Cuomo's campaign underscored this more than its conspicuous embrace of using AI - tech that CEOs have promised will solve climate change and cure cancer. but in reality is mostly associated by young people with the slop posted by their boomer elders on social media. There was no chance that the actual Cuomo could outcharm Mamdani, so out came the AI Cuomo."

Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral race by a landslide, presenting himself as a genial, relatable young politician who engaged voters directly on the street. He emphasized affordability and projected optimism. Andrew Cuomo mounted a comeback campaign that was undermined by past allegations, perceived elitism, and a dated political aura. Cuomo's campaign used conspicuous AI-generated content that backfired, including a garish video of him performing working-class jobs. Cuomo made few public appearances and seemed disconnected from everyday voters, while Mamdani exploited those weaknesses strategically to boost his standing.

Read at Futurism